On the Almost Intersections of Transient Brownian Motions

Let {B ₁ ^d (t)} and {B ^d ₂(t)} be independent Brownian motions in R ^d starting from 0 and nx respectively, and let w ^d _i (a,b) ={xR ^d : B ^d _i (t)=x for some t(a,b)}, i=1,2. Asymptotic expressions as n for the probability of dist(w ^d ₁(n ² t ₁, n ² t ₂), w ₂ ^d (0,n ² t ₃))1 with d4, respectively for the probability of dist(w ₁ ⁴(n ² t ₁,n ² t ₂),w ₂ ⁴(0,n ² t ₃))1 are obtained. As an application, an improvement of a result due to M. Aizenman concerning the intersections of Wiener sausages in R ⁴ is presented.     

Possible implications of the channeling effect in NaI(Tl) crystals

The channeling effect of low energy ions along the crystallographic axes and planes of NaI(Tl) crystals is discussed in the framework of corollary investigations on WIMP dark matter candidates. In fact, the modeling of this existing effect implies a more complex evaluation of the luminosity yield for low energy recoiling Na and I ions. In the present paper related phenomenological arguments are developed and possible implications are discussed at some extent. PACS 95.35.+d     

On a further search for a yearly modulation of the rate in particle Dark Matter direct search

The results achieved with a statistics of 14962 kg·day, collected with the large mass highly radiopure DAMA NaI(Tl) set-up, are described and investigated in terms of WIMP annual modulation signature. A maximum likelihood analysis of these data, combined with the statistics of 4549 kg·day previously published (total statistics of 19511 kg·day), favours the hypothesis of presence of an annual modulation at 99.6% C.L.     

Direct dark matter investigation

Experimental efforts and theoretical developments support that most of the Universe is dark and a large fraction of it should be made of relic particles; many possibilities are open on their nature and interaction types. This motivates experimental efforts to investigate the direct detection of these particles with various techniques. In particular, experiments offering a model independent signature for the presence of Dark Matter (DM) particles in the Galactic halo are mandatory. In this paper some general arguments will be summarized and particular care will be given to the results obtained by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment (sensitive mass: ～250 kg) at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. by exploiting the model independent DM annual modulation signature with higly radiopure NaI(Tl) target-detectors. Cumulatively with the former DAMA/NaI (sensitive mass: ～100 kg) an exposure of 1.17 ton yr, collected over 13 annual cycles, has been released so far; a model independent evidence of the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo is supported at 8.9 ρ confidence level (C.L.). In addition, experimental and theoretical uncertainties and their implications in the interpretation and comparison of different kinds of results will be shortly addressed. Some perspectives will be mentioned.     

Identifying a “dark matter” signal by nonisotropic scintillation detector

Summary In this note we investigate the possibility to identify a “dark matter” signal by means of low-background anisotropic scintillators.     

Investigating the DAMA annual modulation data in the framework of inelastic dark matter

In this paper, the model independent annual modulation effect observed by DAMA during four independent experiments of one annual cycle each (57986 kg day total statistics) is analysed in terms of a particle dark matter candidate which can only inelastically scatter by making a transition to a slightly heavier state, as previously suggested in the literature. Received: 4 October 2001 / Revised version: 16 November 2001 / Published online: 20 December 2001     

Results from DAMA/LIBRA at Gran Sasso

The DAMA project is an observatory for rare processes and it is operative deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. In particular, the DAMA/LIBRA (Large sodium Iodide Bulk for RAre processes) set-up consists of highly radiopure NaI(Tl) detectors for a total sensitive exposed mass of ?250 kg. Recent results, obtained by this set-up by exploiting the model independent annual modulation signature of Dark Matter (DM) particles, have confirmed and improved those obtained by the former DAMA/NaI experiment. A model independent evidence for the presence of Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo is cumulatively obtained at 8.2?σ C.L. No systematics or side reactions able to account for the measured modulation amplitude and to contemporaneously satisfy all the many specific requirements of the signature have been found or suggested by anyone over more than a decade. An example of one of the many possible model dependent corollary quests for the candidate particles and for the related astrophysical, nuclear and particle physics scenarios is presented considering the whole cumulative exposure. Future perspectives are shortly addressed.     

On the investigation of possible systematics in WIMP annual modulation search

An investigation of the WIMP annual modulation signature is in progress at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. by means of the kg NaI(Tl) DAMA set-up; the results obtained during four annual cycles have already been published. In this paper we will further address in some details the main arguments, which have allowed us to exclude known systematic effects as a possible source of the annual modulation observed in the rate at very low energy. In particular, the (more recently released) data of the DAMA/NaI-3 and DAMA/NaI-4 running periods are considered as quantitative examples. Received: 26 September 2000 / Published online: 27 November 2000     

New search for processes violating the Pauli exclusion principle in sodium and in iodine

In this paper a new search for non-Paulian nuclear processes, i.e. processes normally forbidden by the Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP), is presented. It has been carried out at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN by means of the highly radiopure DAMA/LIBRA set-up (sensitive mass of about 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl)). In particular, a new improved upper limit for the spontaneous non-Paulian emission rate of protons with energy E _p ≥ 10 MeV in ²³Na and ¹²⁷I has been obtained: 1.63 × 10⁻³³ s⁻¹ (90% C.L.). The corresponding limit on the relative strength (δ ²) for the searched non-Paulian transition is δ ²≲(3–4)×10⁻⁵⁵ (90% C.L.). Moreover, PEP-violating electron transitions in iodine atoms have also been investigated. Lifetimes shorter than 4.7×10³⁰ s are excluded at 90% C.L.; this allows us to derive the limit δ _e ²<1.28×10⁻⁴⁷ (90% C.L.). This latter limit can also be related to a possible finite size of the electron in composite models of quarks and leptons providing superficial violation of the PEP; the obtained upper limit on the electron size is r ₀<5.7×10⁻¹⁸ cm (energy scale of E≳3.5 TeV).     

Investigating halo substructures with annual modulation signature

Galaxy hierarchical formation theories, numerical simulations, the discovery of the Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy (SagDEG) in 1994 and more recent investigations suggest that the dark halo of the Milky Way can have a rich phenomenology containing non-thermalized substructures. In the present preliminary study, we investigate the case of the SagDEG (the best known satellite galaxy in the Milky Way crossing the solar neighborhood) analyzing the consequences of its dark matter stream contribution to the galactic halo on the basis of the DAMA/NaI annual modulation data. The present analysis is restricted to some WIMP candidates and to some of the astrophysical, nuclear and particle physics scenarios. Other candidates such as e.g. the light bosonic ones we discussed elsewhere, and other non-thermalized substructures are not yet addressed here. PACS 95.35.+d