From DAMA/NaI to DAMA/LIBRA and beyond

The about 100 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) set-up of DAMA experiment, DAMA/NaI, at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN had the unique feature to effectively investigate the presence of dark-matter particle in the galactic halo by exploiting the model-independent annual modulation signature. Data collected over seven annual cycles for a total exposure of more than 105 kg×day have pointed out at 6.3 σ CL a modulation effect satisfying all the many peculiarities of the signature. Several (but still few with respect to the many possibilities) corollary model-dependent quests for the candidate particle have also been carried out. At present the second-generation DAMA/LIBRA set-up (about 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl)) is in operation. A R&D towards possible 1 ton highly radiopure NaI(Tl) experiment is also in progress.