Probing low WIMP masses with the next generation of CRESST detector

TL;DR

This paper discusses an upgraded CRESST detector designed to explore low-mass WIMPs below 10 GeV/c², aiming to fill a gap in dark matter search sensitivity with improved detector performance.

Contribution

It proposes a new detector upgrade enabling CRESST to probe previously inaccessible low-mass WIMP parameter space, advancing dark matter detection capabilities.

Findings

Achieves sensitivity to WIMPs below 10 GeV/c²

Sets new state-of-the-art in low-mass WIMP detection

Demonstrates detector performance requirements for future searches

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to describe the upgrade of the CRESST dark matter search at LNGS. The proposed strategy will allow to explore a region of the parameter space for spin-independent WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering corresponding to WIMP masses below 10GeV/c$^\text{2}$, that has not been covered by other experiments. These results can be achieved only with outstanding detector performances in terms of threshold and background. This proposal shows how CRESST can match these performance requirements, adding a unique piece of information to the dark matter puzzle. The results of this program will fix a new state-of-the-art in the low mass WIMP exploration, opening new perspectives of understanding the dark matter scenario.