Speaker
Description
The SABRE proof-of-principle (PoP) experiment aims to develop ultra-pure NaI(Tl) scintillators for direct dark matter research. The new SABRE low background NaI(Tl) crystals will be used to probe for the model independent annual modulation, expected for dark matter particles in the galactic halo. The first NaI(Tl) detector is installed underground in passive shielding at the Gran Sasso Laboratory, Italy, for preliminary crystal characterization. Measurements of radio-purity by ICP-MS and direct counting yield results for this detector with background comparable to that reported in Phase II of DAMA/LIBRA. On-going research toward further reduction of crystal radio-purity will be reported, together with a plan for future SABRE detectors in the north and south hemispheres.
