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Nature of dark matter remains unresolved

Determine the fundamental particle nature of dark matter that accounts for the observed cosmological and astrophysical evidence, clarifying whether it consists of weakly interacting massive particles or alternative candidates.

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Background

The paper motivates the search for a model-independent annual modulation signature by noting that, despite extensive theoretical and experimental efforts across direct, indirect, and collider searches, the underlying identity of dark matter is unknown. Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) remain a leading hypothesis due to their thermal relic motivation and potential detectability, but no conclusive identification has been achieved.

This unresolved question contextualizes the ANAIS–112 effort to test the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation claim using the same NaI(Tl) target material, aiming to either support or refute a WIMP-based interpretation of DAMA's signal.

References

The question of dark matter's nature remains still unanswered almost a century after its initial proposal.

— ANAIS-112 three years data: a sensitive model independent negative test of the DAMA/LIBRA dark matter signal (2404.17348 - Coarasa et al., 26 Apr 2024) in Introduction (Section Introduction)