Speaker
Description
Understanding the nature of the Dark Matter has shown to be one of the biggest challenges faced in the XXI century by Cosmology, Astrophysics and Particle Physics. It will require following complementary approaches. Among them, dark matter direct detection strategy has developed since the eighties of the past century, increasing strongly the detection sensitivity by introducing new detection techniques, ultra-low radioactive background techniques and powerful background rejection strategies. Experimental results are compatible with estimated backgrounds in general, but DAMA/LIBRA observation of an annual modulation in the detection rate compatible with that expected for dark matter particles from the galactic halo is one of the most puzzling results in the present particle physics scenario.
In this talk, we will review the present status of the direct detection searches of dark matter in general and, in particular, in the testing of the DAMA/LIBRA result, focusing on experiments using the same target material: sodium iodide. The talk will cover in more detail the performance and prospects of ANAIS-112 experiment, which using 112.5 kg of NaI(Tl) as target, is taking data at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain since August 2017
