Directional dark matter searches with carbon nanotubes

A new solution to the problem of dark matter directional detection might come from the use of large arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes. We calculate the expected rate of carbon ions channeled in single- wall nanotubes once extracted by the scattering with a massive dark matter particle. Depending on its initial kinematic conditions, the ejected carbon ion may be channeled in the nanotube array or stop in the bulk. The orientation of the array with respect to the direction of motion of the Sun has an appreciable effect on the channeling probability. This provides the required anisotropic response for a directional detector.