Search

The DAMA/LIBRA experiment, running at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. in Italy, has a sensitive mass of about 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl). It is mainly devoted to the investigation of Dark Matter (DM) particles in the Galactic halo by exploiting the model independent DM annual modulation signature. The present DAMA/LIBRA experiment and the former DAMA/NaI one (the first generation experiment having an exposed mass of about 100 kg) have released so far results corresponding to a total exposure of 1.17 ton×yr over 13 annual cycles. They provide a model independent evidence of the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo at 8.9 σ C.L. on the basis of the investigated DM signature. Few aspects of the obtained results are shortly summarized and perspectives for the experiment are briefly addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DAMA/LIBRA set-up (about 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) sensitive mass) is running at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N.. The first DAMA/LIBRA results confirm the evidence for the presence of a Dark Matter particle component in the galactic halo, as pointed out by the former DAMA/NaI set-up; cumulatively the data support such evidence at 8.2 σ C.L. and satisfy all the many peculiarities of the Dark Matter annual modulation signature. The main aspects and prospects of this model independent experimental approach will be outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DAMA/LIBRA experiment at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. has confirmed with higher sensitivity the model independent evidence for Dark Matter (DM) particles in the galactic halo obtained by the former DAMA/NaI experiment by investigating the DM annual modulation signature. Considering the data collected by DAMA/LIBRA together with the data collected by the former DAMA/NaI (cumulative exposure of 0.82 ton×yr) a confidence level of 8.2 σ has been achieved. The experiment is in data taking; a first upgrading of the set-up has been carried out in Spetember 2008 and a second one—aiming to decrease the experimental energy threshold—is foreseen in September 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DAMA is searching for rare processes by developing and using several kinds of radiopure scintillators: NaI(Tl), liquid Xenon and CaF[SUB2](Eu). Here, in particular, results achieved during four annual cycles with a model independent analysis and with model dependent ones in the investigation of the so-called WIMP annual modulation signature are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DAMA is searching for particle Dark Matter deep underground in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. by using several kinds of scintillators, acting as target-detector systems. Results on several other kinds of rare event searches are also achieved. In particular, here recent results obtained by means of the highly radiopure ... 100 kg NaI(T1) set-up in the investigation of the WIMP annual modulation signature are summarized. They refer to four annual cycles (57986.0 kgxday). The data collection for a 5-th annual cycle has been completed in July 2000. New electronics and data acquisition system have been then installed and data taking will start again in fall 2000. Moreover, the realization of an about 250 kg NaI(T1) set-up is in progress to further increase the sensitivity of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]