Status of the PICASSO experiment for spin-dependent Dark Matter searches

TL;DR

The PICASSO experiment uses superheated droplet detectors to search for spin-dependent dark matter interactions, achieving leading sensitivity levels and ongoing analysis to improve detection limits or find dark matter signals.

Contribution

This paper reports the current status and recent improvements of the PICASSO experiment, highlighting its competitive sensitivity in spin-dependent dark matter searches.

Findings

Achieved a sensitivity of 0.16 pb on protons at 90% C.L.

Published competitive results in June 2009.

Ongoing analysis of additional detectors to enhance sensitivity.

Abstract

The PICASSO project is using superheated droplets of C$_4$F$_{10}$ for the direct detection of Dark Matter candidates in the {\it spin-dependent} (SD) sector. The total setup includes 32 detectors installed in the SNOLAB underground laboratory in Sudbury (Ontario, Canada). With a concentrated effort in detector purification and with new discrimination tools now available for analysis, Picasso published competitive results in June 2009 \cite{publi2009} and became the leading experiment in the SD sector of direct dark matter searches. The present level of sensitivity is at 0.16 pb on protons at 90% C.L. (M$_W$= 24GeV/c$^2$) following an analysis of two detectors only. The rest of the detectors are now in the process of being analyzed and the experimental search continues in order to further improve the limits or hopefully discover a signal of dark matter. The status of the experiment and the ongoing analysis will be presented.