Results from DAMA/NaI and perspectives for DAMA/LIBRA

TL;DR

The DAMA/NaI experiment provided model-independent evidence for dark matter via annual modulation detection, and the project has advanced to DAMA/LIBRA with increased mass and sensitivity, aiming for further insights into dark matter particles.

Contribution

This paper reports the first model-independent detection of dark matter particles through annual modulation and describes the development of the more sensitive DAMA/LIBRA setup.

Findings

Model-independent evidence for dark matter at 6.3 sigma CL

Successful operation of DAMA/LIBRA with 250 kg NaI(Tl) since 2003

Progress towards a ton-scale NaI(Tl) detector for dark matter searches

Abstract

The about 100 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) set-up of the DAMA project (DAMA/NaI) took data over seven annual cycles up to July 2002 and has achieved results on various rare processes. Its main aim has actually been the exploitation of the model independent WIMP annual modulation signature. After this conference the total exposure, collected during the seven annual cycles, was released. This cumulative exposure (107731 kg day) has given a model independent evidence for the presence of a Dark Matter particle component in the galactic halo at 6.3 sigma C.L.; this main result is summarised here. Some of the many possible corollary model dependent quests for the candidate particle are mentioned. At present, after about five years of new developments, a second generation low background set-up (DAMA/LIBRA with a mass of about 250 kg NaI(Tl)) was built and is taking data since March 2003. New R&D efforts toward a possible NaI(Tl) ton set-up, we proposed in 1996, have been funded and started in 2003.