Direction-sensitive dark matter search with 3D-vector-type tracking in NEWAGE

Abstract NEWAGE is a direction-sensitive dark matter search experiment with a 3D tracking detector based on a gaseous micro time projection chamber. A direction-sensitive dark matter search was carried out at Kamioka Observatory with a total live time of 318.0 days resulting in an exposure of 3.18 kg·days. A new gamma-ray rejection and a head–tail determination analysis were implemented for this work. No significant non-isotropic signal from the directional analysis was found and a 90% confidence level upper limit on a spin-dependent weakly interactive massive particle (WIMP)–proton cross section of 25.7 pb for a WIMP mass of 150 GeV/c2 was derived. This analysis marks the most stringent upper limit in the direction-sensitive dark matter searches.