  Directional detection of Dark Matter (DM) particles could be accomplished by
studying either ion or electron recoils in large arrays of parallel carbon
nanotubes. For instance, a MeV mass DM particle could scatter off a lattice
electron, resulting in the transfer of sufficient energy to eject the electron
from the nanotube surface. The electron can eventually be detected whenever an
external electric field is added to drive it from the open ends of the array.
This detection scheme would offer an anisotropic response and could be used to
select an orientation of the target with respect to the DM wind. A compact
sensor, in which the cathode element is substituted with a dense array of
parallel carbon nanotubes, could serve as the basic detection unit which - if
adequately replicated - would allow to explore a significant region of light DM
mass and cross-section. A similar detection scheme could be used to detect DM
particles with mass in the GeV range scattering off the surface of a CNT and
ejecting a carbon ion. We report about the Monte Carlo simulations of such a
system and the R&D towards a detector prototype.
