arXiv:2002.00459hep-ex
Annual modulations from secular variations: relaxing DAMA?
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Abstract
The DAMA collaboration reported an annually modulated rate with a phase compatible with a Dark Matter induced signal. We point out that a slowly varying rate can bias or even simulate an annual modulation if data are analyzed in terms of residuals computed by subtracting approximately yearly averages starting from a fixed date, rather than a background continuous in time. In the most extreme case, the amplitude and phase of the annual modulation reported by DAMA could be alternatively interpreted as a decennial growth of the rate. This possibility appears mildly disfavoured by a detailed study of the available data, but cannot be safely excluded. In general, a decreasing or increasing rate could partially reduce or enhance a true annual modulation, respectively. The issue could be clarified by looking at the full time-dependence of the DAMA total rate, not explicitly published so far.
There's a possibility that a discontinuity in data analysis might have an impact on fundamental physics. Many dark matter detection experiments rely on detecting an annual modulation, i.e. an excess of detection events later in the year, when the Earth would be going into the…
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