Monitoring of the thermal neutron flux in the EDELWEISS II dark matter direct search experiment

The results from measurements of thermal neutron flux in the EDELWEISS II experiment aimed at the direct detection of WIMPs (weakly interacting massive particles) by means of cryogenic germanium bolometers are described. Detailed knowledge of the neutron background is of crucial importance for the experiment, since neutrons with the MeV energy range of scattering seem to be hard to distinguish from the expected WIMP signal within the bolometers. Monitoring of the thermal neutron flux is performed using a mobile detection system with a low background proportional ³He counter. The neutron flux measurements were performed both outside and inside the device’s shielding, in the direct proximity of a cryostat with built-in germanium detectors. The sensitivity of the created thermal neutron detection system is on the level of 10⁻⁹ neutron (cm² s)⁻¹.     

EDELWEISS experiment: Direct search for dark matter

The EDELWEISS experiment is aimed at direct searches for nonbaryonic cold dark matter by means of cryogenic germanium detectors. It is deployed at the LSM underground laboratory in the Frejus tunnel, which connects France and Italy. The results of the experimentmade it possible to set a limit on the spin-independent cross section for the scattering of weak-interacting massive particles (WIMP) at a level of 10^?6 pb. Data from 21 detectors of total mass about 7 kg are being accumulated at the present time.     

Results from a low-energy analysis of the CDMS II germanium data

We report results from a reanalysis of data from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Data taken between October 2006 and September 2008 using eight germanium detectors are reanalyzed with a lowered, 2 keV recoil-energy threshold, to give increased sensitivity to interactions from weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with masses below ～10 GeV/c(2). This analysis provides stronger constraints than previous CDMS II results for WIMP masses below 9 GeV/c(2) and excludes parameter space associated with possible low-mass WIMP signals from the DAMA/LIBRA and CoGeNT experiments.     

Vector WIMP miracle

Weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) is well known to be a good candidate for dark matter, and it is also predicted by many new physics models beyond the standard model at the TeV scale. We found that, if the WIMP is a vector particle (spin-one particle) which is associated with some gauge symmetry broken at the TeV scale, the Higgs mass is often predicted to be 120–125 GeV, which is very consistent with the result of Higgs searches recently reported by ATLAS and CMS Collaborations at the Large Hadron Collider experiment. In this Letter, we consider the vector WIMP using a non-linear sigma model in order to confirm this result as general as possible in a bottom-up approach. Near-future prospects to detect the vector WIMP at both direct and indirect detection experiments of dark matter are also discussed.     

Direct search for dark matter—striking the balance—and the future

Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) are among the main candidates for the relic dark matter (DM). The idea of the direct DM detection relies on elastic spin-dependent (SD) and spin-independent (SI) interaction of WIMPs with target nuclei. In this review paper the relevant formulae for WIMP event rate calculations are collected. For estimations of the WIMP-proton and WIMP-neutron SD and SI cross sections the effective low-energy minimal supersymmetric standard model is used. The traditional one-coupling-dominance approach for evaluation of the exclusion curves is described. Further, the mixed spin-scalar coupling approach is discussed. It is demonstrated, taking the high-spin ⁷³Ge dark matter experiment HDMS as an example, how one can drastically improve the sensitivity of the exclusion curves within the mixed spin-scalar coupling approach, as well as due to a new procedure of background subtraction from the measured spectrum. A general discussion on the information obtained from exclusion curves is given. The necessity of clear WIMP direct detection signatures for a solution of the dark matter problem, is pointed out.     

Towards measurement of recoils below 4 keV with the ROSEBUD experiment

An experiment to look for light WIMPs with sapphire bolometers is to be installed in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (at 2450 m.w.e) in the Spanish Pyrenees. In the first stage two small 25g bolometers with NTD-Ge sensors, operating at 25mK, with an energy threshold of 300eV and FWHM energy resolution of 120eV at 1.5keV will perform a background test experiment. The features of the bolometers, the radioactivity measurements of the components and the set-up and status of the experiment are reported.     

Final results of the EDELWEISS-II WIMP search using a 4-kg array of cryogenic germanium detectors with interleaved electrodes

The EDELWEISS-II Collaboration has completed a direct search for WIMP dark matter with an array of ten 400-g cryogenic germanium detectors in operation at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. The combined use of thermal phonon sensors and charge collection electrodes with an interleaved geometry enables the efficient rejection of γ-induced radioactivity as well as near-surface interactions. A total effective exposure of 384 kg d has been achieved, mostly coming from fourteen months of continuous operation. Five nuclear recoil candidates are observed above 20 keV, while the estimated background is 3.0 events. The result is interpreted in terms of limits on the cross-section of spin-independent interactions of WIMPs and nucleons. A cross-section of 4.4×¹⁰−8 pb is excluded at 90%CL for a WIMP mass of 85 GeV. New constraints are also set on models where the WIMP-nucleon scattering is inelastic.     

Search for particles of cold nonbarion dark matter in the EDELWEISS-II experiment

The EDELWEISS-II experiment is aimed at direct detection of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMP) considered as main candidates for the role of nonbarion dark matter. In the experiment, a search for rare WIMP-Ge scattering events is performed using HPGe-detectors-bolometers at a temperature of 20 mK. Because of different ionization losses of recoil nuclei and electrons, the use of detectors allowing simultaneous measurement of phonon and ionization signals enables background events to be suppressed very efficiently. To suppress actively the remained source of events simulating the WIMP signature, namely, the surface events with incomplete charge collection, detectors with coplanar ring electrodes have been developed for the EDELWEISS-II facility. The experimental coefficient of suppression of all EDELWEISS-II background components with the help of calibration measurements allows 3500 kg⋅day statistics to be accumulated with the expected zero level of the background events in the region of search for the WIMP. This enables the spinindependent WIMP-nucleon scattering events to be registered given that their cross section is greater than 10^-45 cm² (10^-9 pb) predicted by a wide class of the SUSY models.     

低能量阈高纯锗探测器用于暗物质探测实验研究

一个位于韩国江原道襄阳郡地下实验室的暗物质WIMP探测实验中, 采用了低能量阈高纯锗探测器, 带有碘化铯晶体反符合探测器作为主动屏蔽体. 整个系统设置和能量标定已经完成, 并且已经积累了约155d的本底数据. 还应用外置伽玛源和中子源进行了实验, 以判断本底的来源. 介绍了数据的分析和初步结果, 并给出了实验诱人的前景.     

Evaluation of the neutron background in an HPGe target for WIMP direct detection when using a reactor neutrino detector as a neutron veto system

A direct WIMP (weakly interacting massive particle) detector with a neutron veto system is designed to better reject neutrons. The experimental configuration is studied in this paper involves 984 Ge modules placed inside a reactor-neutrino detector. The neutrino detector is used as a neutron veto device. The neutron background for the experimental design is estimated using the Geant4 simulation. The results show that the neutron background can decrease to O(0.01) events per year per tonne of high-purity germanium and it can be ignored in comparison with electron recoils.     

The CRESST dark matter search

We discuss the short-and long-term perspectives of the CRESST (Cryogenic Rare Event Search using Superconducting Thermometers) project and present the current status of the experiment and new results concerning detector development. In the search for elementary particle dark matter, CRESST is presently the most advanced deep underground, low-background, cryogenic facility. The basic technique involved is to search for WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles) by the measurement of nonthermal phonons, as created by WIMP-induced nuclear recoils. Combined with our newly developed method for the simultaneous measurement of scintillation light, strong background discrimination is possible, resulting in a substantial increase in WIMP detection sensitivity. This will allow a test of the reported positive evidence for a WIMP signal by the DAMA Collaboration in the near future. In the long term, the present CRESST setup permits the installation of a detector mass up to 100 kg. In contrast to other projects, CRESST technology allows the employment of a large variety of detection materials. This offers a powerful tool in establishing a WIMP signal and in investigating WIMP properties in the event of a positive signal.     

Spin in the dark matter problem

Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are among the main candidates for the relic dark matter (DM). The idea of direct DM detection relies on elastic spin-dependent (SD) and spin-independent (SI) interaction of WIMPs with target nuclei. In this review, formulas for the DM event rate calculations are collected. The importance of the SD WIMP-nucleus interaction for reliable DM detection is argued and the spin nuclear structure functions relevant to DM search are discussed. The effective low-energy minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) is used for calculation of the DM cross sections, provided the lightest neutralino is the WIMP. It is shown that the absolute lower bound for the rate of direct DM detection is due to the SD WIMP-nucleon interaction and a new-generation experiment aimed at detecting DM with sensitivity higher than 10⁻⁵ event/day/kg should have a non-zero-spin target to avoid missing of the DM signal. The mixed spin-scalar couplings approach is argued. Prospects of DM experiments with high-spin Ge-73 are discussed in the mixed coupling scheme. The DAMA experiment has claimed observation of WIMPs due to annual signal modulation. Some important consequences of the DAMA claim for the other DM searches as well as for collider physics are considered. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Study on cosmogenic activation in germanium detectors for future tonne-scale CDEX experiment

A study on cosmogenic activation in germanium was carried out to evaluate the cosmogenic background level of natural and ~(70)Ge depleted germanium detectors. The production rates of long-lived radionuclides were calculated with Geant4 and CRY.Results were validated by comparing the simulated and experimental spectra of CDEX-1B detector. Based on the validated codes, the cosmogenic background level was predicted for further tonne-scale CDEX experiment. The suppression of cosmogenic background level could be achieved by underground germanium crystal growth and high-purity germanium detector fabrication to reach the sensitivity requirement for direct detection of dark matter. With the low cosmogenic background, new physics channels,such as solar neutrino research and neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments, were opened and the corresponding simulations and evaluations were carried out.     

Predicted Modulated Differential Rates for Direct WIMP Searches at Low Energy Transfers

The differential event rate for direct detection of dark matter,both the time averaged and the modulated one due to the motion of the Earth,are discussed.The calculations focus on relatively light cold dark matter candidates (WIMP) and low energy transfers.It is shown that for sufficiently light WIMPs the extraction of relatively large nucleon cross sections is possible.Furthermore for some WIMP masses the modulation amplitude may change sign,meaning that,in such a case,the maximum rate may occur six months later than naively expected.This effect can be exploited to yield information about the mass of the dark matter candidate,if and when the observation of the modulation of the event rate is established.     

New limits on dark matter from Super-Kamiokande

The signals observed at the direct detection experiments DAMA, CoGeNT and CRESST could be explained by light WIMPs with sizeable spin-independent cross sections with nucleons. The capture and subsequent annihilation of such particles in the Sun would induce neutrino signals in the GeV range which may be observed at Super-Kamiokande. We determine the rate of upward stopping muons and fully contained events at Super-Kamiokande for various possible WIMP annihilation channels. This allows us to provide strong constraints on the cross section of WIMPs with nucleons. We find that the DAMA and CoGeNT signals are inconsistent with standard thermal WIMPs annihilating dominantly into neutrino or tau pairs. We also provide limits for spin-dependent WIMP nucleus scattering for masses up to 80 GeV. These exclude the DAMA favored region if WIMPs annihilate even subdominantly into neutrinos, taus, bottoms or charms.     

暗物质的直接实验探测

暗物质研究是21世纪粒子物理、天体物理和宇宙学最重要的前沿科学课题之一.暗物质被天文学中的引力效应所观察到,但对它的存在和认识仍旧是个谜.文章主要论述了对弱作用大质量暗物质粒子(WIMP)直接探测的基本原理、各种直接探测技术、当前的实验进展和发展方向.最后给出了最近的实验物理结果.     

Wimp searches with gamma rays in the Fermi era: Challenges,methods and results

The launch of the gamma-ray telescope Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) started a pivotal period in indirect detection of dark matter. By outperforming expectations, for the first time a robust and stringent test of the paradigm of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) is within reach. In this paper, we discuss astrophysical targets for WIMP detection and the challenges they present, review the analysis tools which have been employed to tackle these challenges, and summarize the status of constraints on and the claimed detections in the WIMP parameter space. Methods and results will be discussed in comparison to Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes. We also provide an outlook on short term and longer term developments.     

Metallic bolometers in periodically interrupted radiation

A theory of metallic bolometers is given for the case that the measured radiation is periodically interrupted. The impedance of a bolometer through which a direct and an alternating current simultaneously flow, is derived generally. Separate solutions are given for bolometers cooled by heat conduction and bolometers with thermal impedance dependent on the temperature. Expressions are derived for the sensitivity and minimum measurable power and the conditions for the choice of a coupling transformer with optimum ratio. In conclusion the lowest value of the minimum power at all measurable by metallic bolometers working in interrupted radiation is determined.Delivered in an abbreviated form. at the congress of the Physics Society of the German Democratic Republic in Leipzig, April 11, 1957.     

New contribution to scattering of weakly interacting massive particles on nuclei

A weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) is perhaps the most promising candidate for the dark matter in the Galactic halo. The WIMP detection rate in laboratory searches is fixed by the cross section for elastic WIMP-nucleus scattering. Here we calculate the contribution to this cross section from two-nucleon currents from pion exchange in the nucleus and show that it may, in some cases, be comparable to the one-nucleon current that has been considered in prior work and perhaps help resolve the discrepancies between the various direct dark-matter search experiments. We provide simple expressions that allow these new contributions to be included in current calculations.     

First results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search in the Soudan Underground Laboratory

We report the first results from a search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) in the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Four Ge and two Si detectors were operated for 52.6 live days, providing 19.4 kg d of Ge net exposure after cuts for recoil energies between 10 and 100 keV. A blind analysis was performed using only calibration data to define the energy threshold and selection criteria for nuclear-recoil candidates. Using the standard dark-matter halo and nuclear-physics WIMP model, these data set the world's lowest exclusion limits on the coherent WIMP-nucleon scalar cross section for all WIMP masses above 15 GeV/c2, ruling out a significant range of neutralino supersymmetric models. The minimum of this limit curve at the 90% C.L. is 4 x 10(-43) cm2 at a WIMP mass of 60 GeV/c2.