Multilayer Scintillator Responses for Mo Observatory of Neutrino Experiment Studied Using a Prototype Detector MOON-1

“…One isotope of experimental interest in the search for 0νββ is 100 Mo. 100 Mo is currently under investigation by the MOON (Molybdenum Observatory Of Neutrinos) [4,5,6,7] and NEMO (Neutrino Ettore Majorana Observatory) [8,9,10,11] projects. All 0νββ searches examine the Majorana nature of the neutrino (that is, whether the neutrino is its own anti-particle) as well as the absolute neutrino mass scale and spectrum.…”

Section: Double Beta Decay Of 100 Momentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first explored the simple dissolution of organometallic compounds containing molybdenum in commercial liquid scintillator. The initial work here used hexacarbonylmolybdenum, Mo(CO) 6 in BC-505 (a commercially available scintillator from Bicron based on pseudocumene, PC). Mo(CO) 6 was of particular interest because the carbonyl process excludes uranium and other potential radioactive contamination.…”

Section: Solubility and Stability Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The initial work here used hexacarbonylmolybdenum, Mo(CO) 6 in BC-505 (a commercially available scintillator from Bicron based on pseudocumene, PC). Mo(CO) 6 was of particular interest because the carbonyl process excludes uranium and other potential radioactive contamination. The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) collaboration used this technique to obtain high-purity nickel for the proportional counters deployed in the third phase of the SNO experiment [17].…”

Section: Solubility and Stability Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Optical degradation was much stronger in the BAADOM solutions. BAADOM is also far more toxic than Mo(CO) 6 . These two facts, combined with our prior experience with the radiological cleanliness of carbonyl compounds led us to focus on the Mo(CO) 6 for the light output studies.…”

Section: Solubility and Stability Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Solubility, light output and energy resolution studies of molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillators

Gehman

Doe

Robertson

et al. 2010

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

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The search for neutrinoless double-beta decay is an important part of the global neutrino physics program. One double-beta decay isotope currently under investigation is 100 Mo. In this article, we discuss the results of a feasibility study investigating the use of molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillator. A large, molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillator detector is one potential design for a low-background, internal-source 0νββ search with 100 Mo. The program outlined in this article included the selection of a solute containing molybdenum, a scintillating solvent and the evaluation of the mixture's performance as a radiation detector. Double Beta Decay of 100 MoThe study of neutrino physics, particularly of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) presents an exciting opportunity in the search for physics beyond the standard model and is well-motivated in the literature [1,2,3]. One isotope of experimental interest in the search for 0νββ is 100 Mo. 100 Mo is currently under investigation by the MOON (Molybdenum Observatory Of Neutrinos) [4,5,6,7] and NEMO (Neutrino Ettore Majorana Observatory) [8,9,10,11] projects. All 0νββ searches examine the Majorana nature of the neutrino (that is, whether the neutrino is its own anti-particle) as well as the absolute neutrino mass scale and spectrum. The experimental signature of most 0νββ searches is a pair of electrons in the final state of the decay whose total kinetic energy equals the endpoint of the two-neutrino double-beta decay (2νββ) spectrum, Q ββ (3034.4 keV for 100 Mo[12]). 100 Mo is a particularly attractive 0νββ candidate for several reasons. First, its Q ββ is both above most γ ray related backgrounds and below most α decay energies. Second, 100 Mo has a rather large natural abundance at 9.6%. Both MOON and NEMO look for this signature by interleaving source foils/films of ββ isotope between radiation detectors. MOON is focused on 100 Mo (with a secondary effort on 82 Se), and NEMO looks at several isotopes in addition to 100 Mo. This article will focus on attempts to load molybdenum into organic liquid scintillator as an alternative to the foil/tracking detector design.We begin by discussing the motivation for the interest in liquid scintillators for ββ search experiments in section 2. We then move on to molybdenum solubility and stability studies for different organometallic solutes in different scintillating solvents in Section 3. We next discuss the evaluation of the scintillation performance (light output and energy resolution) of a subset of the best performing solute/solvent combinations in Section 4. Last, we draw some conclusions and outline potential extensions to this program in Section 5. Molybdenum Loaded Liquid ScintillatorsAs discussed in Section 1, most of the current experimental interest in ββ of 100 Mo involves sandwiching thin layers of Molybdenum foil/film between radiation detectors, such as large scintillator plates or some kind of tracking Email address: vmg@lanl.gov (V.M. Gehman)

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Neutrino-less double beta decays and Majorana neutrinos

Ejiri¹

2011

Pavi09

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Multilayer Scintillator Responses for Mo Observatory of Neutrino Experiment Studied Using a Prototype Detector MOON-1

Cited by 12 publications

References 24 publications

MOON for a next-generation neutrino-less double-beta decay experiment; present status and perspective

MOON for a next-generation neutrino-less double-beta decay experiment; present status and perspective

Solubility, light output and energy resolution studies of molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillators

Neutrino-less double beta decays and Majorana neutrinos

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