Speaker
Description
The ANAIS (Annual modulation with NaI(Tl) Scintillators) experiment is intended to search for dark matter annual modulation with ultrapure NaI(Tl) scintillators in order to provide a model independent confirmation or refutation of the long-standing DAMA/LIBRA positive annual modulation signal in the low energy detection rate, using the same target and technique. Other experiments exclude the region of parameters singled out by DAMA/LIBRA. However, these experiments use different target materials, so the comparison of their results depends on the models assumed for the dark matter particle and its velocity distribution in the galactic halo. ANAIS-112, consisting of nine 12.5 kg NaI(Tl) modules produced by Alpha Spectra Inc., disposed in a 3×3 matrix configuration, is taking data smoothly with excellent performance at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory, Spain, since August 2017. Results based on three-year exposure were consistent with the absence of modulation and not compatible with DAMA/LIBRA for a sensitivity of almost 3σ C.L. In this talk, the current state of the experiment and results with 6 years of data will be discussed. Updated sensitivity projections will be provided, foreseeing a 5σ sensitivity to the DAMA/LIBRA signal by the end of 2025.