The CRESST experiment towards the next generation of sub GeV direct dark matter detection
Abstract Direct detection experiments have established the most stringent constraints on potential interactions between particle candidates for relic, thermal dark matter and Standard Model particles. To surpass current exclusion limits a new generation of experiments is being developed. The upcoming upgrade of the CRESST experiment will incorporate $${{{\mathcal{O}}}}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mi>O</mml:mi> </mml:math> (100) detectors with different masses ranging from ~2 g to ~24 g, aiming to achieve unprecedented sensitivity to sub-GeV dark matter particles with a focus on spin-independent dark matter-nucleus scattering. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the planned upgrade, detailed experimental strategies, anticipated challenges, and projected sensitivities. Approaches to address and mitigate low-energy excess backgrounds – a key limitation in previous and current sub-GeV dark matter searches – are also discussed. In addition, a long-term roadmap for the next decade is outlined, including other potential scientific applications.
Authors
- T. Ortmann
- P. Gorla
- S. Fichtinger
- B. Mauri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6833-2907)
- F. Proebst
- L. Pattavina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4192-849X)
- R. Strauss
- I. Usherov
- V. Mokina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7744-1950)
- V. Zema (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3566-0407)
- C. Schwertner
- M. Kaznacheeva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2712-1326)
- S. Banik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1925-0088)
- E. Fascione
- G. Angloher
- C. Bucci
- L. Einfalt
- F. Reindl (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0151-2174)
- A. Langenkaemper
- A. Bertolini
- F. Pucci
- S. Di Lorenzo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1582-9711)
- R. Breier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1124-4812)
- J. Burkhart (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1989-7845)
- C. Strandhagen
- A. Erb (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4841-366X)
- P. V. Guillaumon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7772-5526)
- F. Petricca
- H. Kluck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3061-3732)
- L. Canonica (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8734-206X)
- M. Olmi
- A. Bento (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3817-6015)
- M. Stahlberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4201-071X)
- J. Jochum (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3370-9211)
- S. Schoenert
- L. Stodolsky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4842-1889)
- M. Mancuso
- D. Fuchs
- W. Potzel
- V. M. Ghete
- B. von Krosigk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5223-3023)
- M. Ješkovský (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6722-4955)
- J. Schieck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1058-8093)
- K. Schaeffner
- Pavel P. Povinec (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0275-794X)
- J. Rothe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5748-7428)
- D. Hauff
- H. Kraus
- F. von Feilitzsch
- C. Pagliarone
- F. Dominsky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7775-3654)
- E. Cipelli
- J. Dohm
- P. Murali
- D. Valdenaire
- M. Zanirato
Institutions
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
- TU Wien (AT)
- Heidelberg University (DE)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (IT)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (DE)
- Kirchhoff (Germany) (DE)
- Institute of High Energy Physics (AT)
- Max Planck Computing and Data Facility (DE)
- Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (DE)
- Technical University of Munich (DE)
- Comenius University Bratislava (SK)
- University of Tübingen (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Physics
- Published
- 2026-05-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02476-5
- Primary Topic
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00