Recent Results from the SIMPLE Dark Matter Search

TL;DR

The SIMPLE experiment searches for spin-dependent dark matter interactions using superheated droplet detectors, providing preliminary exclusion limits on WIMP-proton cross sections at 50 GeV/c^2.

Contribution

This work reports the first results from SIMPLE's superheated droplet detectors, setting new constraints on dark matter interactions with improved sensitivity.

Findings

Excluded WIMP-proton cross section above 5 pb at 50 GeV/c^2.

Achieved 0.6 kg-day exposure with five detectors.

Demonstrated detector sensitivity improvements.

Abstract

SIMPLE is an experimental search for evidence of spin-dependent dark matter, based on superheated droplet detectors using C$_{2}$ClF$_{5}$. We report preliminary results of a 0.6 kgdy exposure of five one liter devices, each containing $\sim$10 g active mass, in the 1500 mwe LSBB (Rustrel, France). In combination with improvements in detector sensitivity, the results exclude a WIMP--proton interaction above 5 pb at M$_{\chi}$ = 50 GeV/c$^{2}$.