Search for low mass dark matter particles with the cresst experiment
Proceedings of Science (2017)
Abstract:
It has been proven by several astronomical observations that dark matter exists, but no particle candidates have been observed yet. The CRESST experiment aims to directly detect dark matter particles elastically scattering off nuclei in CaWO4 crystals which are operated at mK temperatures. With nuclear recoil energy thresholds as low as 0.3 keV [2] and 0.6 keV [3], for the detector modules LISE and TUM40, respectively, CRESST is ideally suited for the detection of low-mass dark matter particles [5]. Additionally, the radiopurity of the crystals is another important factor for the detector performance. For a detailed understanding of the detector backgrounds, we simulate the radioactive contaminations of the TUM40 detector module with Geant4. The outcome of this simulation will be vital for the CRESST-III experiment. In this contribution, we discuss our results of the search for dark matter and dark photons achieved with the detector module Lise of CRESST-II. We will discuss the status of CRESST-III Phase 1 which started taking data in 2016.Search for low-mass dark matter with the CRESST experiment
Proceedings of the 13th Patras Workshop on Axions, WIMPs and WISPs, PATRAS 2017 (2017) 130-133
Abstract:
CRESST is a multi-stage experiment directly searching for dark matter (DM) using cryogenic CaWO4 crystals. Previous stages established leading limits for the spin-independent DM-nucleon cross section down to DM-particle masses mDM below 1GeV/c2. Furthermore, CRESST performed a dedicated search for dark photons (DP) which excludes new parameter space between DP masses mDP of 300 eV/c2 to 700 eV/c2. In this contribution we will discuss the latest results based on the previous CRESST-II phase 2 and we will report on the status of the current CRESST-III phase 1: in this stage we have been operating 10 upgraded detectors with 24, g target mass each and enhanced detector performance since summer 2016. The improved detector design in terms of background suppression and reduction of the detection threshold will be discussed with respect to the previous stage. We will conclude with an outlook on the potential of the next stage, CRESST-III phase 2.Signal yields, energy resolution, and recombination fluctuations in liquid xenon
Physical Review D American Physical Society (APS) 95:1 (2017) 012008
Results from a Search for Dark Matter in the Complete LUX Exposure.
Physical review letters 118:2 (2017) 021303
Abstract:
We report constraints on spin-independent weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-nucleon scattering using a 3.35×10^{4} kg day exposure of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment. A dual-phase xenon time projection chamber with 250 kg of active mass is operated at the Sanford Underground Research Facility under Lead, South Dakota (USA). With roughly fourfold improvement in sensitivity for high WIMP masses relative to our previous results, this search yields no evidence of WIMP nuclear recoils. At a WIMP mass of 50 GeV c^{-2}, WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross sections above 2.2×10^{-46} cm^{2} are excluded at the 90% confidence level. When combined with the previously reported LUX exposure, this exclusion strengthens to 1.1×10^{-46} cm^{2} at 50 GeV c^{-2}.Improved EDELWEISS-III sensitivity for low-mass WIMPs using a profile likelihood approach
European Physical Journal C Springer 76:10 (2016) 548