Results from DAMA/NaI and perspectives for DAMA/LIBRA

The about 100 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) set-up of the DAMA project (DAMA/NaI) took data over seven annual cycles up to July 2002 and has achieved results on various rare processes. Its main aim has actually been the exploitation of the model independent WIMP annual modulation signature. After this conference the total exposure, collected during the seven annual cycles, was released. This cumulative exposure (107731 kg day) has given a model independent evidence for the presence of a Dark Matter particle component in the galactic halo at 6.3 sigma C.L.; this main result is summarised here. Some of the many possible corollary model dependent quests for the candidate particle are mentioned. At present, after about five years of new developments, a second generation low background set-up (DAMA/LIBRA with a mass of about 250 kg NaI(Tl)) was built and is taking data since March 2003. New R&D efforts toward a possible NaI(Tl) ton set-up, we proposed in 1996, have been funded and started in 2003.
Contributed paper to the Conf. "Beyond the Desert 03", Rindberg Castle, Germany, June 2003