EDELWEISS-II : status and first results

The EDELWEISS-II experiment is devoted to the direct detection of WIMP dark matter, using a new generation of cryogenic germanium detectors. We will present preliminary results of the first operation of these detectors installed in the Modane underground laboratory. Very low radioactive background conditions are achieved. Furthermore, these new detectors, with a special electrode design for active rejection of surface events, have been experimentally shown to be suited for WIMP searches with spin-independent scattering cross-sections on a nucleon well below 10-8 pb. Preliminary results of WIMP searches performed with a first set of these detectors will be shown as well.