S. Fiorucci

Identification of backgrounds in the EDELWEISS-I dark matter search experiment

Abstract This paper presents our interpretation and understanding of the different backgrounds in the EDELWEISS-I data sets. We analyze in detail the several populations observed, which include gammas, alphas, neutrons, thermal sensor events and surface events, and try to combine all data sets to provide a coherent picture of the nature and localization of the background sources. In light of this interpretation, we draw conclusions regarding the background suppression scheme for the EDELWEISS-II phase.

Sensitivity of the EDELWEISS WIMP search to spin-dependent interactions

The EDELWEISS collaboration is searching for WIMP dark matter using natural Ge cryogenic detectors. The whole data set of the first phase of the experiment contains a fiducial exposure of 4.8 kg.day on Ge-73, the naturally present (7.8%), high-spin Ge isotope. The sensitivity of the experiment to the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon interactions is evaluated using the model-independent framework proposed by Tovey et al.

Status and Outlook of the EDELWEISS Experiment

EDELWEISS is a direct search for WIMPs using cryogenic germanium ionizationphonon detectors and located in the Modane underground laboratory. We summarize the final results of the EDELWEISS I experiment obtained with up to nearly a kilogram of detectors. The increased exposure confirms previous results. We also report on the preparations for EDELWEISS II. Preliminary results are expected in 2006; the experiment could ultimately deploy up to 40 kg of detectors. Goals are to gain two orders of magnitude in sensitivity and to serve as a testbed for an even larger, tonne-scale, experiment.

Looking for SUSY with EDELWEISS-I and -II

The latest results obtained by the EDELWEISS WIMP (weakly interacting massive particles) direct detection experiment using three heat-and-ionization 320-g germanium bolometers are given. Presently the most sensitive WIMP direct detection experiment for WIMP mass >30 GeV, EDELWEISSI is testing a first region of SUSY models compatible with accelerator constraints. The status and main characteristics of EDELWEISS-II, involving in a first stage 28 germanium bolometers and able to accommodate up to 120 detectors, are briefly presented, together with neutron background estimates.