Status of the ANAIS Dark Matter Project at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory

TL;DR

The ANAIS experiment at Canfranc aims to confirm DAMA/LIBRA's dark matter signal using NaI(Tl) detectors, with recent results showing excellent performance and background understanding, supporting future dark matter searches.

Contribution

This paper reports on the detector performance and background analysis of the ANAIS experiment, advancing the goal of confirming dark matter signals with NaI(Tl) detectors at LSC.

Findings

Excellent detector performance achieved

Background levels well understood

Progress towards dark matter signal confirmation

Abstract

The ANAIS (Annual modulation with NaI(Tl) Scintillators) experiment aims at the confirmation of the DAMA/LIBRA signal using the same target and technique at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC). Along 2016, 112.5 kg of ultra pure NaI(Tl) crystals will be installed at LSC in a 3x3 modules matrix configuration. The ANAIS-25 and ANAIS-37 set-ups have been taking data at the LSC testing the detector performance, the DAQ and analysis systems, and assessing the background. Main results coming from both set-ups will be summarized in this paper, focusing on the excellent detector performance and background understanding. Prospects for the experiment will be also briefly revised.