Experimental constraints on a dark matter origin for the DAMA annual modulation effect

TL;DR

This paper uses a novel germanium detector to challenge the hypothesis that WIMPs or dark pseudoscalars in a standard galactic halo cause the DAMA annual modulation signal, providing new experimental constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a new detector technology that conclusively rules out certain dark matter explanations for DAMA's observed modulation.

Findings

Rules out standard WIMP halo as explanation for DAMA signal

Imposes bounds on dark pseudoscalar explanations

Demonstrates sensitivity to light dark matter particles

Abstract

A claim for evidence of dark matter interactions in the DAMA experiment has been recently reinforced. We employ a new type of germanium detector to conclusively rule out a standard isothermal galactic halo of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) as the explanation for the annual modulation effect leading to the claim. Bounds are similarly imposed on a suggestion that dark pseudoscalars mightlead to the effect. We describe the sensitivity to light dark matter particles achievable with our device, in particular to Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Model candidates.