The COSINUS project - perspectives of a NaI scintillating calorimeter for dark matter search

TL;DR

The COSINUS project develops a cryogenic NaI scintillating calorimeter to improve dark matter detection by combining phonon and scintillation signals for better particle identification and background suppression.

Contribution

It introduces a novel cryogenic NaI detector design that enables event-by-event particle discrimination for dark matter searches.

Findings

Design of a NaI proof-of-principle detector

Potential to distinguish dark matter signals from backgrounds

Application to investigate DAMA/LIBRA results

Abstract

The R&D project COSINUS (Cryogenic Observatory for SIgnatures seen in Next-generation Underground Searches) aims to develop a cryogenic scintillating calorimeter using NaI as target crystal for direct darkmatter search. Dark matter particles interacting with the detector material generate both a phonon signal and scintillation light. While the phonon signal provides a precise determination of the deposited energy, the simultaneously measured scintillation light allows for a particle identification on an event-by-event basis, a powerful tool to study material-dependent interactions, and to suppress backgrounds. Using the same target material as the DAMA/LIBRA collaboration, the COSINUS technique may offer a unique possibility to investigate and contribute information to the presently controversial situation in the dark matter sector. We report on the dedicated design planned for the NaI proof-of-principle detector and the objectives of using this detection technique in the light of direct dark matter detection.