First results from the Heidelberg dark matter search experiment

Abstract

The Heidelberg Dark Matter Search Experiment (HDMS) is a new ionization Germanium experiment in a special design. Two concentric Ge crystals are housed by one cryostat system, the outer detector acting as an effective shield against multiple scattered photons for the inner crystal, which is the actual dark matter target. We present first results after successfully running the prototype detector for a period of about 15 months in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory. We analyze the results in terms of limits on WIMP-nucleon cross sections and present the status of the full scale experiment, which will be installed in Gran Sasso in the course of this year.

Supersymmetric dark matter and Yukawa unification

“…Recently supersymmetric dark matter has come under a great deal of scrutiny due to the fact that the neutralino-proton cross sections for a wide class of supersymmetric models fall within the range that is accessible to the current and planned dark matter experiments [1,2,3,4,5]. Thus some recent studies have included a variety of effects in the predictions of relic densities and of detection rates in the direct and in the indirect detection of dark matter [6].…”

Search for Neutrino Mass and Dark Matter in Underground Experiments

“…HDMS uses a special configuration of Ge detectors, with an enriched 73 Ge detector embedded into a natural Gedetector (Fig.13a). Results of the pilote project are given in 83,81 . The final configuration with the enriched 73 Ge inner detector is in operation since …”

“…This is also the reason, why simple cryogenic calorimeters such as the CRESST I 82,74 and the Milano 53,89 bolometers are not fully competitive. The at present most sensitive experiments using raw data are the HEIDELBERG-MOSCOW experiment 80 and the HEIDELBERG Dark Matter Search Experiment (HDMS) 83,81 . HDMS uses a special configuration of Ge detectors, with an enriched 73 Ge detector embedded into a natural Gedetector (Fig.13a).…”

Experimental searches for non-baryonic dark matter: WIMP direct detection

“…See Ref. [18]. Most of the attention of this Collaboration goes now to the preparation of a small version (GENIUS-Test Facility) of the GENIUS project [19].…”