Search

The DAMA/LIBRA set-up (about 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) sensitive mass) is running at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. The first DAMA/LIBRA results point out the presence of a dark matter particle component in the galactic halo, as well as the former DAMA/NaI set-up; cumulatively the data support such evidence at 8.2 σ CL and satisfy all the peculiarities of the dark matter annual modulation signature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DAMA project is an observatory for rare processes and it is operative deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. In particular, the DAMA/LIBRA (Large sodium Iodide Bulk for RAre processes) set-up consists of highly radiopure NaI(Tl) detectors for a total sensitive exposed mass of ≃250 kg. Recent results, obtained by this set-up by exploiting the model independent annual modulation signature of Dark Matter (DM) particles, have confirmed and improved those obtained by the former DAMA/NaI experiment. A model independent evidence for the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo is cumulatively obtained at 8.2 σ C.L. No systematics or side reactions able to account for the measured modulation amplitude and to contemporaneously satisfy all the many specific requirements of the signature have been found or suggested by anyone over more than a decade. An example of one of the many possible model dependent corollary quests for the candidate particles and for the related astrophysical, nuclear and particle physics scenarios is presented considering the whole cumulative exposure. Future perspectives are shortly addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Searches for non-paulian nuclear processes, i.e. processes normally forbidden by the Pauli–Exclusion–Principle (PEP) with highly radiopure NaI(Tl) scintillators allow the test of this fundamental principle with high sensitivity. Status and perspectives are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguments on the investigation of the DarkMatter particles in the galactic halo are addressed. Recent results obtained by exploiting the annual modulation signature are summarized and the perspectives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a new search for non-Paulian nuclear processes, i.e. processes normally forbidden by the Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP), is presented. It has been carried out at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN by means of the highly radiopure DAMA/LIBRA set-up (sensitive mass of about 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl)). In particular, a new improved upper limit for the spontaneous non-Paulian emission rate of protons with energy E p≥ 10 MeV in 23Na and 127I has been obtained: 1.63 × 10−33 s−1 (90% C.L.). The corresponding limit on the relative strength ( δ2) for the searched non-Paulian transition is δ2≲(3–4)×10−55 (90% C.L.). Moreover, PEP-violating electron transitions in iodine atoms have also been investigated. Lifetimes shorter than 4.7×1030 s are excluded at 90% C.L.; this allows us to derive the limit δ<1.28×10−47 (90% C.L.). This latter limit can also be related to a possible finite size of the electron in composite models of quarks and leptons providing superficial violation of the PEP; the obtained upper limit on the electron size is r0<5.7×10−18 cm (energy scale of E≳3.5 TeV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly radiopure ≃ 250 kg NaI(Tl) DAMA/LIBRA set-up is running at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. In this paper the first result obtained by exploiting the model independent annual modulation signature for Dark Matter (DM) particles is presented. It refers to an exposure of 0.53 ton×yr. The collected DAMA/LIBRA data satisfy all the many peculiarities of the DM annual modulation signature. Neither systematic effects nor side reactions able to account for the observed modulation amplitude and to contemporaneously satisfy all the several requirements of this DM signature are available. Considering the former DAMA/NaI and the present DAMA/LIBRA data all together (total exposure 0.82 ton×yr), the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo is supported, on the basis of the DM annual modulation signature, at 8.2 σ C.L.; in particular, in the energy interval (2–6) keV, the modulation amplitude is (0.0131±0.0016) cpd/kg/keV and the phase and the period are well compatible with June 2 nd and one year, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for double-β processes in 108Cd and 114Cd was realized by using data of the low-background experiment with the CdWO4 crystal scintillator at the Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN. New improved half-life limits on double-beta processes were established, in particular T 1/2 0ν2ɛ( ^108Cd ) ≥ 1.0(2.7)×1018 yr, T 1/2 2ν2β( ^114Cd ) ≥ 1.3(2.1)×1018 yr, and T 1/2 0ν2β( ^114Cd ) ≥ 1.1(2.5)×1021 yr at 90(68)% C.L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The channeling effect of low energy ions along the crystallographic axes and planes of NaI(Tl) crystals is discussed in the framework of corollary investigations on WIMP dark matter candidates. In fact, the modeling of this existing effect implies a more complex evaluation of the luminosity yield for low energy recoiling Na and I ions. In the present paper related phenomenological arguments are developed and possible implications are discussed at some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DAMA is an observatory for rare processes and it is operative deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. Several low background setups have been realized and many rare processes have been investigated. In particular, the DAMA/Nal setup (≃100 kg of highly radiopure NaI(Tl)) has effectively investigated the model-independent annual modulation signature over seven annual cycles (total exposure of 107 731 kg day), obtaining 6.3σ C.L. model-independent evidence for the presence of a dark matter particle component in the galactic halo. Some of the many possible corollary model-dependent quests for the candidate particle have been investigated and others are in progress. At present, the second generation DAMA/LIBRA setup (≃250 kg of highly radiopure NaI(T1)) is in data taking deep underground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galaxy hierarchical formation theories, numerical simulations, the discovery of the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy (SagDEG) in 1994 and more recent investigations suggest that the dark halo of the Milky Way can have a rich phenomenology containing non-thermalized substructures. In the present preliminary study, we investigate the case of the SagDEG (the best known satellite galaxy in the Milky Way crossing the solar neighborhood) analyzing the consequences of its dark matter stream contribution to the galactic halo on the basis of the DAMA/NaI annual modulation data. The present analysis is restricted to some WIMP candidates and to some of the astrophysical, nuclear and particle physics scenarios. Other candidates such as e.g. the light bosonic ones we discussed elsewhere, and other non-thermalized substructures are not yet addressed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DAMA is an observatory for rare processes based on the development and use of various kinds of radiopure scintillators; it is operative deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. Several low background setups have been realized and many rare processes have been investigated. In particular, the DAMA/NaI setup ( ≃ 100kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl)) has effectively investigated the model-independent annual modulation signature; the data of seven annual cycles (total exposure of 107731kg × d) have offered a 6.3σ C.L. model-independent evidence for the presence of a Dark Matter particle component in the galactic halo. Some of the many possible corollary model-dependent quests for the candidate particle have also been investigated. At present, the second-generation DAMA/LIBRA setup ( ≃ 250kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl)) is in operation deep underground. This paper summarizes the main aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a short introduction on the low background liquid xenon DAMA set-up (DAMA/LXe) and its main previous results, we discuss the search for the nucleon, di-nucleon and tri-nucleon decays into invisible channels (disappearance or decay to neutrinos, Majorons, etc.) in the 136Xe isotope. The obtained limits (90% C.L.) on the lifetimes are: τn > 3.3 . 1023yr, τp > 4.5 . 1023yr, τnp > 3.2 . 1023yr, τpp > 1.9 . 1024yr, τnnp > 1.4 . 1022yr, τnpp > 2.7 . 1022yr and τppp > 3.6 . 1022yr. In particular, the tri-nucleon decay into invisible channels is investigated here for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of an experimental search for spontaneous cluster decay in127I are presented. Several possible channels have been investigated considering an exposure of 33834 kg . day collected by a large-mass highly radiopure NaI(Tl) set-up deep underground in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. New lower limits on the lifetime of2410Ne,2812Mg,3012Mg,3214Si,3414Si,4820Ca,4921Sc cluster radioactivity in127I have been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of an experimental search for spontaneous transition of nuclei from ordinary to superdense state in NaI(Tl). New limits on the superdense-state parameters are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility to effectively exploit the directionality of the measured counting rate as a signature for WIMPs by using anisotropic scintillators is revisited and discussed in some details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]