DAMA
DAMA is an observatory for rare processes, developing and using highly radiopure scintillators. The experimental apparata are running at INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS). It has also been a pioneer activity in the direct investigation of Dark Matter (DM) particles in the galactic halo. In particular, the 1st generation DAMA/NaI (~100 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl)), the 2nd generation DAMA/LIBRA (~250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl)) phase1 and phase2 have pointed out over 20 annual cycles (exposure: 2.46 ton x yr) a model independent evidence for the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo with 12.9 sigma C.L. No systematic or side reaction able to mimic the exploited DM annual modulation signature has been found. At present, DAMA/LIBRA is running in its phase2 with a software energy threshold at 1 keV and R&D's towards a lower energy threshold are in progress.
The DAMA project has obtained many competitive or new results also in the search for many rare nuclear processes in various experiments. In fact, in addition to DAMA/LIBRA, DAMA operates several low background set-ups at LNGS: DAMA/R&D, DAMA/CRYS, DAMA/Ge and other HPGe detectors from the STELLA facility. DAMA has explored the double beta decay process in more than 30 candidate isotopes, rare alpha and beta decays, cluster decays, charge non-conserving processes, processes violating the Pauli Exclusion Principle, nucleon instabilities into invisible channels, the correlated e+e- pairs in the alpha decay of Am-241, spontaneous transition of nuclei to a superdense state and others.
Finally, DAMA is also engaged in the development of new highly radiopure crystal scintillators. Two examples of this activity are ZnWO4 and SrI2(Eu) scintillators. The first is a very promising detector for the investigation of DM with the directionality technique (ADAMO project). The second is a high performance scintillator that can provide competitive results in the investigation of double beta decay and DM (REBUS project led by Dr F. Cappella).
Websites:
Thesis Opportunities:
For information regarding thesis opportunities, please contact Fabio Cappella and Antonella Incicchitti.
Local Coordinator
Fabio Cappella| Name | Surname | Role | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabio | Cappella | Dipendente | Ricercatore |
| Annelisa | D'Angelo | Associata | Collaboratrice Esterna |
| Antonella | Incicchitti | Dipendente | Dirigente di Ricerca |
| Alice | Leoncini | Associata | Laureanda |
| Angelo | Mattei | Dipendente | Collaboratore Tecnico |