Direct search of dark matter with the SABRE experiment

TL;DR

The SABRE experiment aims to verify the annual modulation signal of dark matter detection observed by DAMA using highly pure NaI(Tl) detectors in a model-independent way across two hemispheres.

Contribution

This paper presents the design, simulation results, and current status of the SABRE experiment, a novel dual-hemisphere setup to test dark matter modulation signals.

Findings

Monte Carlo simulation results support detector design efficacy.

Proof-of-principle activities are underway at LNGS.

The dual-hemisphere approach enhances the ability to distinguish terrestrial effects.

Abstract

The interaction rate of hypothesised dark matter particles in an Earth-bound detector is expected to undergo an annual modulation due to the planet's orbital motion. The DAMA experiment has observed such a modulation with high significance in an array of scintillating NaI(Tl) crystals. This claim is still unverified inasmuch as the other experiments involved in this research use different dark matter targets and cannot be compared with DAMA in a model-independent way. The SABRE experiment seeks to provide a much-needed model-independent test by developing highly pure NaI(Tl) crystal detectors with very low radioactivity and deploying them into an active veto detector that can reject key backgrounds in a dark matter measurement. The final layout of SABRE will consist of a pair of twin detectors at LNGS (Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy) and SUPL (Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, Australia). The combined analysis of data sets from the two hemispheres will allow to identify any terrestrial contribution to the modulating signal. This article gives an overview of the detector design together with the results of Monte Carlo simulations and of the status of SABRE proof-of-principle activities at LNGS.