Probing dark matter interactions with a RES-NOVA prototype cryogenic detector
Researchers used a 13g PbWO4 crystal grown from archaeological lead as a cryogenic calorimeter operating underground to search for dark matter interactions. The setup successfully demonstrated a proof of principle, achieving sensitivity limits on spin-independent dark matter scattering cross-sections and constraints on spin-dependent interactions with neutrons. This validates using ancient lead for low-background rare event searches.