Experimental constraints on a dark matter origin for the DAMA annual modulation effect

A claim for evidence of dark matter particle interactions in a large array of low-background NaI[Tl] scintillators has been recently reinforced (R. Bernabei et al., arXiv:0804.2741). We employ a new type of ultra low noise germanium detector to conclusively rule out a standard isothermal galactic halo of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) as the explanation for the annual modulation effect leading to the claim. Bounds are also imposed on the suggestion that dark pseudoscalars might lead to the effect, limiting their mass to $m_{a}> $ 0.55 keV/c$^{2}$. We briefly describe the future sensitivity to light dark matter particles achievable with this new type of device, in particular to Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Model (NMSSM) candidates.