G. Ignesti

Search for WIMP annual modulation signature: Results from DAMA/NaI-3 and DAMA/NaI-4 and the global combined analysis

Data, collected by the similar or equal to 100 kg NaI(TI) DAMA set-up at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of I.N.F.N. during two further yearly cycles (DAMA/NaI-3 and DAMA/NaI-4; statistics of 38475 kg (.) day), have been analysed in terms of WIMP annual modulation signature. The results agree with those previously achieved. The cumulative analysis of all the available data (DAMA/NaI-1 to 4; statistics of 57986 kg(.)day) favours the possible presence of a WIMP with M-W = (52(-8)(+10)) GeV and xi sigma(p) = (7.2(-0.9)(+0.4)) (.) 10(-6) pb at 4 sigma C.L., when standard astrophysical assumptions are considered. The allowed mass extends up to 105 GeV (1 sigma) when the uncertainty on the mean value of the local velocity v(0) is taken into account and up to 132 GeV(1 a) in case a possible bulk halo rotation is taken into account. Moreover, the allowed regions extend to lower xi sigma(p) values when the upper limits on the recoil differential counting rate obtained from DAMA/NaI-0 is included in the cumulative analysis (favouring, in case of standard assumptions, M-w = (44(-9)(+12)) GeV and xi sigma(p) = (5.4 +/- 1.0) (.)10(-6) pb at similar or equal to 4 sigma C.L.). The 3 sigma C.L. allowed regions in the xi sigma(p), M-w plane summarize the obtained main physical results

On a further search for a yearly modulation of the rate in particle Dark Matter direct search

The results achieved with a statistics of 14962 kg . day, collected with the large mass highly radiopure DAMA NaI(TI) set-up, are described and investigated in terms of WIMP annual modulation signature. A maximum likelihood analysis of these data, combined with the statistics of 4549 kg day previously published (total statistics of 19511 kg . day), favours the hypothesis of presence of an annual modulation at 99.6% C.L

Performances of the ≃ 100 kg NaI(Tl) set-up of the DAMA experiment at Gran Sasso

SummaryThe main features of the highly radiopure ≃ 100 kg NaI(Tl) set-up, searching for particle dark matter deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of INFN, are described in some details.

New limits on spin-dependent coupled WIMPs and on 2 beta processes in Ca-40 and Ca-46 by using low radioactive CaF2(Eu) crystal scintillators

The development of highly radio pure CaF2(Eu) crystal scintillators has been performed aiming at a substantial sensitivity enhancement of the 2 beta decay investigation and of the search for dark matter particles with spin-dependent (SD) interaction. The results of CaF2(Eu) background measurements and simulation are presented. New and highly improved T-1/2 limits on the 2 beta decay of Ca-46 and the double electron capture of Ca-40 are obtained as well as further results on SD coupled WIMPs

Improved limits on WIMP-129Xe inelastic scattering

Improved limits on WIMP-(129) Xe inelastic scattering have been obtained by analysing a statistics of similar or equal to 2500 kg day, collected by the low radioactivity similar or equal to6.5 kg DAMA liquid xenon scintillator deep underground in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN.

Charge non-conservation restrictions from the nuclear levels excitation of Xe-129 induced by the electron's decay on the atomic shell

Life time limits on the charge non-conserving (CNC) electron capture with nuclear levels excitation of Xe-129 are established for the first time by analysing a statistics of 823.1 kg . day collected by the similar or equal to 6.5 kg liquid Xenon DAMA scintillator at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of INFN. These limits are in the range tau > (1-4) . 10(24) y at 90% C.L. for the different excited levels of Xe-129. The presently most stringent restrictions on the relative strengths of charge non-conserving (CNC) processes are derived: epsilon(W)(2) < 2.2 . 10(-26) and epsilon(gamma)(2) < 1.3 . 10(-42) at 90% C.L

Quest for electron decay e − → ν e γ with a liquid xenon scintillator

A new lifetime limit on the charge nonconserving (CNC) electron decay through the channel e(-)-->nu(e)gamma has been established analyzing a 2257.7 kg day event sample collected by the similar or equal to 6.5 kg liquid xenon DAMA scintillator at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of INFN. This limit is tau>2.0(3.4)x10(26) yr at 90% (68%) C.L., one order of magnitude higher than the current limit for that channel.

WIMP Search by the DAMA Experiment at Gran Sasso

DAMA is searching for rare processes by developing and using several kinds of radiopure scintillators: in particular, NaI(Tl), liquid Xenon and CaF

Searching for the Dark Universe by the DAMA experiment

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Recent DAMA Results

(Eu). Here only the results released so far on the WIMP annual modulation signature are summarized and compared with results from other experiments, including the recent re-analysis of CDMS-I data. Next perspectives are also shortly addressed.DAMA is searching for rare processes by developing and using several kinds of radiopure scintillators: in particular, NaI(Tl), liquid Xenon and CaF2(Eu). Here only the results released so far on the WIMP annual modulation signature are shortly summarized. Next perspectives are briefly mentioned.