Direct detection of Dark Matter particles

Arguments on the investigation of the Dark Matter particles in the galactic halo are addressed. Recent results obtained by the DAMA/LIBRA set-up—exploiting the model independent annual modulation signature for Dark Matter (DM) particles—are shortly summarized. In fact, the DAMA project is an observatory for rare processes and it is operative deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN. Its main apparatus is at present the DAMA/LIBRA set-up, whose sensitive volume is made of ≃250kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) detectors. The first DAMA/LIBRA results confirm the evidence for the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo as pointed out by the former DAMA/NaI set-up; cumulatively the data support such evidence at 8.2σ8.2σ CL and satisfy all the many peculiarities of the DM annual modulation signature. Future perspectives are briefly addressed.