Search for an annual modulation in a p-type Point Contact germanium dark matter detector

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Sep 30;107(14):141301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.141301. Epub 2011 Sep 26.

Abstract

Fifteen months of cumulative CoGeNT data are examined for indications of an annual modulation, a predicted signature of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) interactions. Presently available data support the presence of a modulated component of unknown origin, with parameters prima facie compatible with a galactic halo composed of light-mass WIMPs. Unoptimized estimators yield a statistical significance for a modulation of ∼2.8σ, limited by the short exposure.