The Search for Double Beta Decay With Germanium Detectors: Past, Present, and Future

Avignone, F. T.; Elliott, S. R.

doi:10.3389/fphy.2019.00006

Cited by 22 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 98 publications

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“…High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors represent the longest-standing technology used for 0νββ-decay searches (Avignone and Elliott, 2019). The first 0νββdecay experiment based on Ge detectors was in 1967 (Fiorini et al, 1967) and, since then, Ge-based experiments have stayed at the forefront of the field.…”

Section: B High-purity Ge Semiconductor Detectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless double-beta decay

Agostini¹,

Benato²,

Detwiler³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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The discovery of neutrinoless double-beta decay could soon be within reach. This hypothetical ultra-rare nuclear decay is a portal to new physics beyond the Standard Model. Its observation would constitute the discovery of a matter-creating process, corroborating leading theories of why the universe contains more matter than antimatter, and how the forces unify at high energy scales. It would also prove that neutrinos and antineutrinos are not two distinct particles, but can transform into each other, generating their own mass in the process. The recognition that neutrinos are not massless necessitates an explanation and has boosted interest in neutrinoless double-beta decay. The field is now at a turning point. A new round of experiments is currently being prepared for the next decade to cover an important region of parameter space. Advancements in nuclear theory are laying the groundwork to connect the nuclear decay with the underlying new physics. Meanwhile, the particle theory landscape continues to find new motivations for neutrinos to be their own antiparticle. This review brings together the experimental, nuclear theory, and particle theory aspects connected to neutrinoless double-beta decay, to explore the path toward -and beyond -its discovery.

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Section: B High-purity Ge Semiconductor Detectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless double-beta decay

Agostini¹,

Benato²,

Detwiler³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…For CUORE and LEGEND-200, a single-bin Poisson model spanning ±1.5σ about the endpoint was used for the likelihood, assuming similar signal efficiencies as current versions of the two technologies. In the case of CUORE, a background index of 1.38 × 10 −2 counts/keVkg(T eO 2 )-yr was used [5] and, for LEGEND-200, a value of 2 × 10 −4 counts/keV-kg( 76 Ge)-yr was assumed [21].…”

Section: Projected Combined Bounds For Near-term Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combined Constraints on Majorana Masses from Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Experiments

Biller

2021

Preprint

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Combined bounds on the Majorana neutrino mass for light and heavy neutrino exchange mechanisms are derived from current neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) search results for a variety of nuclear matrix element (NME) models. The approach requires self-consistency of a given model to predict NMEs across different isotopes. The derived bounds are notably stronger than those from any single experiment and show less model-to-model variation, highlighting the advantages of using multiple isotopes in such searches. Projections indicate that the combination of near-term experiments should be able to probe well into the inverted neutrino mass hierarchy region. A method to visually represent 0νββ experimental results is also suggested to more transparently compare across different isotopes and explicitly track model dependencies.

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“…The 90 g Ge detector was surrounded by a plastic scintillator veto and shielded with 10 cm of low background lead, a thin cadmium neutron absorbing layer and a 10 cm-thick box of resin impregnated wood as a neutron moderator. The outer shield was 10 cm-thick ordinary lead [37]. In the following years, the Milano group upgraded the experiment with two true coaxial Ge(Li) detectors and made several improvements regarding the use of low-background construction materials for the cryostat and a new shielding configuration [38,39].…”

Section: Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Search With Ge Detectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with Germanium Detectors: 1026 yr and Beyond

et al. 2021

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In the global landscape of neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay search, the use of semiconductor germanium detectors provides many advantages. The excellent energy resolution, the negligible intrinsic radioactive contamination, the possibility of enriching the crystals up to 88% in the 76Ge isotope as well as the high detection efficiency, are all key ingredients for highly sensitive 0νββ decay search. The Majorana and Gerda experiments successfully implemented the use of germanium (Ge) semiconductor detectors, reaching an energy resolution of 2.53 ± 0.08 keV at the Qββ and an unprecedented low background level of 5.2×10−4 cts/(keV·kg·yr), respectively. In this paper, we will review the path of 0νββ decay search with Ge detectors from the original idea of E. Fiorini et al. in 1967, to the final recent results of the Gerda experiment setting a limit on the half-life of 76Ge 0νββ decay at T1/2>1.8×1026 yr (90% C.L.). We will then present the LEGEND project designed to reach a sensitivity to the half-life up to 1028 yr and beyond, opening the way to the exploration of the normal ordering region.

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The Search for Double Beta Decay With Germanium Detectors: Past, Present, and Future

Cited by 22 publications

References 98 publications

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless double-beta decay

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless double-beta decay

Combined Constraints on Majorana Masses from Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Experiments

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with Germanium Detectors: 1026 yr and Beyond

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