DAMA
Collaboration:
Laboratory: Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS)
National Responsible: R. Bernabei (Roma2)
1. Goal of the experiment
The DAMA experiment is an observatory for rare processes such as: i) Dark Matter particles; ii) charge non-conserving (CNC) processes as electron decays in different channels, CNC electron capture in different isotopes; iii) nucleon and di-nucleon decay into invisible channels, in different isotopes; iv) solar axions; v) SIMP and neutral nuclearites; vi) bb decay processes in different isotopes.
2.
Activities during 2001 (from November 2000 to December 2000)
The Milestones of 2001:
i) Analysis of data available, both with the ~100 kg NaI(Tl) set-up and with the LXe set-up, at the time of setting the milestones 2001, on the different scientific lines.
ii) End of data taking of the new annual cycle with the ~100 NaI(Tl) set-up.
iii) Start production of new crystals and completing of electronics and PMTs for the 250 kg NaI(Tl) set-up
iv) Continuing data taking with Xe enriched in 136Xe
v) Continuing data taking with CaF2(Eu) prototype
have been fulfilled.
The main goals achieved in the given period are:
~100 kg NaI(Tl) set-up
~6.5 kg LXe set-up
CaF2(Eu) prototypes
Data analysis on a search for beta and double beta decays of 48Ca isotope by coincidence technique.
miscellaneous
Studies on the search for neutrino oscillation by artificial neutrino source.
Milestones 2002
Data taking with the apparatus of 100 kg of NaI (Tl). | 1-08-2002 |
Analysis of the data acquired. | 31-12-2002 |
Installation of new NaI(Tl)
detectors, electronics, data acquisition system; start of the data acquisition run to verify the performances of the apparatus of 250 kg of NaI (Tl). |
31-12-2002 |
Data taking with enriched Xenon and analysis | 31-12-2002 |
Data taking for the R&D installation with 106Cd and analysis | 31-12-2002 |
3. INFN contribution to the experiment in terms of manpower and financial support
4. Publications in refereed journals: 6
5. Number of conference talks: 9
6. Number of undergraduate and doctoral thesis on the experiment: 3
7. Leadership role in the experiment
8. Innovative instruments
Development of radiopure detectors, PMTs and overall set-ups
9. Competing experiments
As regards the 100 kg NaI(Tl) set-up, we recall that no other set-up with similar features (well known technique, radiopurity, exposed mass, complete monitoring and control of the running parameters, energy threshold etc.) is available to effectively search for the WIMP annual modulation signature. Moreover, it offers also the possibility to competitively exploit various other approaches (pulse shape discrimination of the electromagnetic background, search for exotic candidates etc.) and to investigate several other rare processes.
The competitiveness of our experiment will be further increased by the ~250 kg NaI(Tl) set-up (LIBRA) now under construction.
As regards the about 2 1 (i.e. about 6.5 kg) liquid Xenon (LXe) pure scintillator set-up, we recall that no other set-up with similar features (Kr-free Xenon gas enriched in particular isotopes, radiopurity, exposed mass, complete monitoring and control of the running parameters, energy threshold, effective far UV light collection, etc.) is available. This set-up has been periodically upgraded to further increase its performances and sensitivity. Since August 2000 it can be alternatively filled with Kr-free Xenon gas enriched at 99.5 % in 129Xe or at 68.8 % in 136Xe. The advantage to use Kr-free gases as well as the enrichements in these two isotopes can be easily inferred.
As regards the CaF2(Eu), competitive results have been achieved with previous prototypes; at present future possibilities are under consideration.
The features of the R&D set-up assures the possibility of competitive small scale experiments.
The low background Ge assures a continuum and effective work for material selection
10. International committee which has reviewed the experiment
The experiment is reviewed by the funding authorities of INFN and has also been periodically reviewed by the Scientific Committee of the LNGS. Chinese activity is funded by the National Natural Science Fund of China and Academia Sinica.