DAMA

Experiment home page: http://www.lngs.infn.it/lngs/htexts/dama/welcome.html

The investigations indicated in the goal of the experiment allow to search for Physics beyond the Standard Model of particle Physics. In particular, the experiment is mainly devoted to the identification of one of the major component of the so-called missing mass of the Universe: the WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles).

The experimental set-ups are realized by developing and using several kinds of radiopure scintillators. In particular, the running set-ups are:

i) the ~100 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) set-up (mainly devoted to the investigation of the WIMP annual modulation signature);

ii) the ~6.5 l liquid Xenon (LXe) scintillator set-up (devoted to measurements with Kr-free Xenon enriched in particular isotopes);

iii) the set-up named “R&D” that is used for measurements with prototype detectors and for small scale experiments;

iv) the low background DAMA Ge set-up (devoted to routine measurements of samples radiopurity).

Moreover, R&D's for the further development of higher radiopure detectors and PMTs are regularly carried out.

Finally, a NaI(Tl) set-up (LIBRA, Large sodium Iodine Bulk for RAre processes) with ~ 250 kg exposed mass is under construction; it will offer further increased performances and sensitivity.