Annual modulation results from three-year exposure of ANAIS-112

ANAIS (annual modulation with NaI scintillators) is a dark matter direct detection experiment consisting of 112.5 kg NaI(Tl) detectors in operation at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC), Spain, since August 2017. ANAIS’ goal to confirm or refute model independent way DAMA/LIBRA positive result: an annual low-energy rate having all features expected for signal induced by particles standard galactic halo. This modulation, observed about 20 years, strong tension negative results other very sensitive experiments, but model-independent comparison still lacking. By using same target material, NaI(Tl), such more and almost particle halo models. Here, we present analysis corresponding three years data (for effective exposure 313.95 kg× y), applying blind procedure, which updates one developed 1.5 analysis, later applied 2 years. The also improves background modeling fitting region interest rates. We obtain best fit [1–6] keV ([2–6] keV) energy amplitude −0.0034±0.0042 cpd/kg/keV (0.0003±0.0037 cpd/kg/keV), supporting absence our data, incompatible result 3.3 (2.6) σ, sensitivity 2.5 (2.7) σ. Moreover, include two complementary analyses: phase-free search exploration possible presence periodic frequencies. Finally, carry out several consistency checks result, update ANAIS-112 projected scheduled 5 operation.13 MoreReceived March 2021Accepted 15 April 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.103.102005© 2021 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasCosmic ray & astroparticle detectorsParticle matterWeakly interacting massive particlesGravitation, Cosmology AstrophysicsParticles Fields