Status of direct-detection experiments in Korea on dark matter

Abstract

The direct detection of dark matter is a crucial component in the search for the Universe's missing matter. In Korea, this research was started by Professors Sun-Kee Kim, Yeoungduk Kim, and Hong-Joo Kim, who in 1997 discussed the possibility of a dark matter search using CsI(Tl) crystals. In 1999, the Korea Invisible Mass Search (KIMS) collaboration was formed at CheongPyung Underground Laboratory. The KIMS collaboration secured a deeper place, the Yangyang Underground Laboratory, in 2003 and started its dark-matter search experiment with CsI(Tl) crystals. Since 2013, the research has been extended to develop ultra-low-background NaI(Tl) crystals, as well as cryogenic detectors, for the dark-matter search. In this article, we review the achievements of the dark-matter search experiment, as well as the future plan, at KIMS. © 2016, Korean Physical Society. All rights reserved