Annual modulation signature for the direct detection of Milky Way WWIP's and supergravity models - art. no. 044002

An analysis is given of the annual modulation signal for the direct detecti on of relic neutralinos within the framework of supergravity unified models . It is shown that both the minimal and the non-minimal super gravity (SUGR A) models can generate neutralino-proton cross sections at the level compat ible with the signals reported by Bernabei et al. (the DAMA experiment at t he Gran Sasso National Laboratory). Effects of proton stability on the anal ysis of the DAMA data in the minimal and the non-minimal SUGRA models are a lso discussed. [S0556-2821(99)01714-2].