First results from DAMA/LIBRA and the combined results with DAMA/NaI

TL;DR

DAMA/LIBRA's first results using annual modulation of signals support the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo with high statistical significance, based on 0.53 ton×yr of data.

Contribution

First model-independent detection of Dark Matter annual modulation signature using DAMA/LIBRA data, reinforcing previous DAMA/NaI findings with increased exposure.

Findings

Observed modulation consistent with Dark Matter signature

No systematic effects can explain the modulation

Supports Dark Matter presence at 8.2 sigma confidence level

Abstract

The highly radiopure $\simeq$ 250 kg NaI(Tl) DAMA/LIBRA set-up is running at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N.. In this paper the first result obtained by exploiting the model independent annual modulation signature for Dark Matter (DM) particles is presented. It refers to an exposure of 0.53 ton$\times$yr. The collected DAMA/LIBRA data satisfy all the many peculiarities of the DM annual modulation signature. Neither systematic effects nor side reactions can account for the observed modulation amplitude and contemporaneously satisfy all the several requirements of this DM signature. Thus, the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo is supported also by DAMA/LIBRA and, considering the former DAMA/NaI and the present DAMA/LIBRA data all together (total exposure 0.82 ton$\times$yr), the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo is supported at 8.2 $\sigma$ C.L..