| Records |
| Author |
NEXT Collaboration (Jones, B.J.P. et al); Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Vara, M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Yahlali, N. |
| Title |
The dynamics of ions on phased radio-frequency carpets in high pressure gases and application for barium tagging in xenon gas time projection chambers |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research A |
Abbreviated Journal |
Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A |
| Volume |
1039 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
167000 - 19pp |
| Keywords |
RF carpets; Ion transport; Neutrinoless double beta decay; Barium tagging |
Abstract  |
Radio-frequency (RF) carpets with ultra-fine pitches are examined for ion transport in gases at atmospheric pressures and above. We develop new analytic and computational methods for modeling RF ion transport at densities where dynamics are strongly influenced by buffer gas collisions. An analytic description of levitating and sweeping forces from phased arrays is obtained, then thermodynamic and kinetic principles are used to calculate ion loss rates in the presence of collisions. This methodology is validated against detailed microscopic SIMION simulations. We then explore a parameter space of special interest for neutrinoless double beta decay experiments: transport of barium ions in xenon at pressures from 1 to 10 bar. Our computations account for molecular ion formation and pressure dependent mobility as well as finite temperature effects. We discuss the challenges associated with achieving suitable operating conditions, which lie beyond the capabilities of existing devices, using presently available or near-future manufacturing techniques. |
| Address |
[Hauptman, J.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Email: ben.jones@uta.edu |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Elsevier |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
|
Edition |
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| ISSN |
0168-9002 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000861747900008 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
5372 |
| Permanent link to this record |
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| |
| Author |
NEXT Collaboration (Cebrian, S. et al); Perez, J.; Alvarez, V.; Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.; Botas, A.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Ferrario, P.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Musti, M.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Torrent, J.; Yahlali, N. |
| Title |
Radiopurity assessment of the energy readout for the NEXT double beta decay experiment |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2017 |
Publication |
Journal of Instrumentation |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. Instrum. |
| Volume |
12 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
T08003 - 20pp |
| Keywords |
Double-beta decay detectors; Gamma detectors (scintillators, CZT, HPG, HgI etc); Search for radioactive and fissile materials; Time projection chambers |
| Abstract |
The “Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon Time-Projection Chamber” (NEXT) experiment intends to investigate the neutrinoless double beta decay of Xe-136, and therefore requires a severe suppression of potential backgrounds. An extensive material screening and selection process was undertaken to quantify the radioactivity of the materials used in the experiment. Separate energy and tracking readout planes using different sensors allow us to combine the measurement of the topological signature of the event for background discrimination with the energy resolution optimization. The design of radiopure readout planes, in direct contact with the gas detector medium, was especially challenging since the required components typically have activities too large for experiments demanding ultra-low background conditions. After studying the tracking plane, here the radiopurity control of the energy plane is presented, mainly based on gamma-ray spectroscopy using ultra-low background germanium detectors at the Laboratorio Subterraneo de Canfranc (Spain). All the available units of the selected model of photomultiplier have been screened together with most of the components for the bases, enclosures and windows. According to these results for the activity of the relevant radioisotopes, the selected components of the energy plane would give a contribution to the overall background level in the region of interest of at most 2.4 x 10(-4) counts keV(-1) kg(-1) y(-1), satisfying the sensitivity requirements of the NEXT experiment. |
| Address |
[Cebrian, S.] Univ Zaragoza, Lab Fis Nucl Astroparticulas, Calle Pedro Cerbuna 12, Zaragoza, Spain, Email: scebrian@unizar.es |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
1748-0221 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000414160600003 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
3348 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
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| |
| Author |
NEXT Collaboration (Cebrian, S. et al); Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Ferrario, P.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lopez-March, N.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Monserrate, M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Querol, M.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N. |
| Title |
Radiopurity assessment of the tracking readout for the NEXT double beta decay experiment |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2015 |
Publication |
Journal of Instrumentation |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. Instrum. |
| Volume |
10 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
P05006 - 16pp |
| Keywords |
Radiation calculations; Time projection Chambers (TPC); Double-beta decay detectors; Particle tracking detectors (Gaseous detectors) |
| Abstract |
The “Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon Time-Projection Chamber” (NEXT) is intended to investigate the neutrinoless double beta decay of Xe-136, which requires a severe suppression of potential backgrounds; therefore, an extensive screening and selection process is underway to control the radiopurity levels of the materials to be used in the experimental set-up of NEXT. The detector design combines the measurement of the topological signature of the event for background discrimination with the energy resolution optimization. Separate energy and tracking readout planes are based on different sensors: photomultiplier tubes for calorimetry and silicon multi-pixel photon counters for tracking. The design of a radiopure tracking plane, in direct contact with the gas detector medium, was specially challenging since the needed components like printed circuit boards, connectors, sensors or capacitors have typically, according to available information in databases and in the literature, activities too large for experiments requiring ultra-low background conditions. Here, the radiopurity assessment of tracking readout components based on gamma-ray spectroscopy using ultra-low background germanium detectors at the Laboratorio Subterraneo de Canfranc (Spain) is described. According to the obtained results, radiopure enough printed circuit boards made of kapton and copper, silicon photomultipliers and other required components, fulfilling the requirement of an overall background level in the region of interest of at most 8 x 10(-4) counts keV(-1) kg(-1) y(-1), have been identified. |
| Address |
[Cebrian, S.; Dafni, T.; Gonzalez-Diaz, D.; Herrera, D. C.; Irastorza, I. G.; Luzon, G.; Ortiz de Solorzano, A.; Villar, J. A.] Univ Zaragoza, Lab Fis Nucl & Astroparticulas, E-50009 Zaragoza, Spain, Email: scebrian@unizar.es |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
1748-0221 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000357993300038 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
2305 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
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| |
| Author |
Watanabe, H.; Watanabe, Y.X.; Hirayama, Y.; Andreyev, A.N.; Hashimoto, T.; Kondev, F.G.; Lane, G.J.; Litvinov, Y.A.; Liu, J.J.; Miyatake, H.; Moon, J.Y.; Morales, A.I.; Mukai, M.; Nishimura, S.; Niwase, T.; Rosenbusch, M.; Schury, P.; Shi, Y.; Wada, M.; Walker, P.M. |
| Title |
Beta decay of the axially asymmetric ground state of Re-192 |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Physics Letters B |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Lett. B |
| Volume |
814 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
136088 - 6pp |
| Keywords |
Re-192; beta decay; Axial asymmetry; Shape transition |
| Abstract |
The beta decay of Re-192(75)117, which lies near the boundary between the regions of predicted prolate and oblate deformations, has been investigated using the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS) in RIKEN Nishina Center. This is the first case in which a low-energy beam of rhenium isotope has been successfully extracted from an argon gas-stopping cell using a laser-ionization technique, following production via multi-nucleon transfer between heavy ions. The ground state of Re-192 has been assigned J(pi) = (0(-)) based on the observed beta feedings and deduced logf t values towards the 0(+) and 2(+) states in Os-192, which is known as a typical gamma-soft nucleus. The shape transition from axial symmetry to axial asymmetry in the Re isotopes is discussed from the viewpoint of single-particle structure using the nuclear Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model. |
| Address |
[Watanabe, H.] Beihang Univ, Sch Phys, Beijing 100191, Peoples R China, Email: hiroshi@ribf.riken.jp |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Elsevier |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
|
Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0370-2693 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000621722300008 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
4747 |
| Permanent link to this record |
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| |
| Author |
Vitez-Sveiczer, A. et al; Algora, A.; Morales, A.I.; Rubio, B.; Agramunt, J.; Guadilla, V.; Montaner-Piza, A.; Orrigo, S.E.A. |
| Title |
The beta-decay of Kr-70 into Br-70: Restoration of the pseudo-SU(4) symmetry |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2022 |
Publication |
Physics Letters B |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Lett. B |
| Volume |
830 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
137123 - 8pp |
| Keywords |
Beta decay of Kr-70; pn pairing; GT strength distribution; Pseudo-SU(4) symmetry; QRPA calculations |
| Abstract |
The beta-decay of the even-even nucleus Kr-70 with Z=N+2, has been investigated at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of the RIKEN Nishina Center using the BigRIPS fragment separator, the ZeroDegree Spectrometer, the WAS3ABI implantation station and the EURICA HPGe cluster array. Fifteen gamma-rays associated with the beta-decay of( 70)Kr into Br-70 have been identified for the first time, defining ten populated states below E-exc=3300 keV. The half-life of Kr-70 was derived with increased precision and found to be t(1/2)=45.19 +/- 0.14 ms. The beta-delayed proton emission probability has also been determined as epsilon(p)=0.545(23)%. An increase in the beta-strength to the yrast 1(+) state in comparison with the heaviest Z=N+2 system studied so far (Ge-62 decay) is observed that may indicate increased np correlations in the T=0 channel. The beta-decay strength deduced from the results is interpreted in terms of the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA) and also with a schematic model that includes isoscalar and isovector pairing in addition to quadrupole deformation. The application of this last model indicates an approximate realization of pseudo-SU(4) symmetry in this system. |
| Address |
[Vitez-Sveiczer, A.; Algora, A.; Morales, A., I; Rubio, B.; Agramunt, J.; Guadilla, V; Montaner-Piza, A.; Orrigo, S. E. A.; Gelletly, W.] Univ Valencia, Inst Fis Corpuscular, CSIC, E-46071 Valencia, Spain, Email: algora@ific.uv.es; |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Elsevier |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
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| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0370-2693 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000832707200002 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
5316 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
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| |
| Author |
Watanabe, H. et al; Montaner-Piza, A. |
| Title |
Impact of shell evolution on Gamow-Teller beta decay from a high-spin long-lived isomer in Ag-127 |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Physics Letters B |
Abbreviated Journal |
Phys. Lett. B |
| Volume |
823 |
Issue |
|
Pages |
136766 - 6pp |
| Keywords |
Shell evolution; Gamow-Teller beta decay; Isomer; Ag-127; Radioactive isotope beam |
| Abstract |
The change of the shell structure in atomic nuclei, so-called “nuclear shell evolution”, occurs due to changes of major configurations through particle-hole excitations inside one nucleus, as well as due to variation of the number of constituent protons or neutrons. We have investigated how the shell evolution affects Gamow-Teller (GT) transitions that dominate the beta decay in the region below Sn-132 using the newly obtained experimental data on a long-lived isomer in Ag-127. The T-1/2 = 67.5(9) ms isomer has been identified with a spin and parity of (27/2(+)) at an excitation energy of 1942(-20)(+14) keV, and found to decay via an internal transition of an E3 character, which competes with the dominant beta-decay branches towards the high-spin states in Cd-127. The underlying mechanism of a strong GT transition from the Ag-127 isomer is discussed in terms of configuration-dependent optimization of the effective single-particle energies in the framework of a shell-model approach. |
| Address |
[Watanabe, H.] Beihang Univ, Sch Phys, Beijing 100191, Peoples R China, Email: hiroshi@ribf.riken.jp |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Elsevier |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0370-2693 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000719296400003 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
5041 |
| Permanent link to this record |
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| |
| Author |
SuperNEMO Collaboration (Argyriades, J. et al); Carcel, S.; Diaz, J.; Monrabal, F.; Serra, L.; Yahlali, N. |
| Title |
Results of the BiPo-1 prototype for radiopurity measurements for the SuperNEMO double beta decay source foils |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2010 |
Publication |
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research A |
Abbreviated Journal |
Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A |
| Volume |
622 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
120-128 |
| Keywords |
Double beta decay; NEMO-3; SuperNEMO; BiPo; Majorana neutrino; Radiopurity |
| Abstract |
The development of BiPo detectors is dedicated to the measurement of extremely high radiopurity in (TI)-T-208 and Bi-214 for the SuperNEMO double beta decay source foils. A modular prototype, called BiPo-1, with 0.8 m(2) of sensitive surface area, has been running in the Modane Underground Laboratory since February, 2008. The goal of BiPo-1 is to measure the different components of the background and in particular the surface radiopurity of the plastic scintillators that make up the detector. The first phase of data collection has been dedicated to the measurement of the radiopurity in (TI)-T-208. After more than one year of background measurement, a surface activity of the scintillators of A((TI)-T-208) = 1.5 μBq/m(2) is reported here. Given this level of background, a larger BiPo detector having 12 m(2) of active surface area, is able to qualify the radiopurity of the SuperNEMO selenium double beta decay foils with the required sensitivity of A((TI)-T-208) <2 μBq/kg (90% CL.) with a six month measurement. |
| Address |
[Argyriades, J.; Augier, C.; Bongrand, M.; Bourgeois, C.; Breton, D.; Briere, M.; Broudin-Bay, G.; Garrido, X.; Jenzer, S.; Jullian, S.; Sarazin, X.; Simard, L.; Szklarz, G.] Univ Paris 11, LAL, CNRS, IN2P3, F-91405 Orsay, France, Email: sarazin@lal.in2p3.fr |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
Elsevier Science Bv |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
|
| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
0168-9002 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
ISI:000282530300016 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ elepoucu @ |
Serial |
364 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
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| |
| Author |
NEXT Collaboration (Novella, P. et al); Palmeiro, B.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Martinez-Lema, G.; Alvarez, V.; Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.M.; Botas, A.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Kekic, M.; Laing, A.; Lopez-March, N.; Martinez, A.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Musti, M.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Perez, J.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Romo-Luque, C.; Yahlali, N. |
| Title |
Measurement of radon-induced backgrounds in the NEXT double beta decay experiment |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2018 |
Publication |
Journal of High Energy Physics |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. High Energy Phys. |
| Volume |
10 |
Issue |
10 |
Pages |
112 - 27pp |
| Keywords |
Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments) |
| Abstract |
The measurement of the internal Rn-222 activity in the NEXT-White detector during the so-called Run-II period with Xe-136-depleted xenon is discussed in detail, together with its implications for double beta decay searches in NEXT. The activity is measured through the alpha production rate induced in the fiducial volume by Rn-222 and its alpha-emitting progeny. The specific activity is measured to be (38.1 +/- 2.2 (stat.) +/- 5.9 (syst.)) mBq/m(3). Radon-induced electrons have also been characterized from the decay of the Bi-214 daughter ions plating out on the cathode of the time projection chamber. From our studies, we conclude that radon-induced backgrounds are sufficiently low to enable a successful NEXT-100 physics program, as the projected rate contribution should not exceed 0.1 counts/yr in the neutrinoless double beta decay sample. |
| Address |
[Hauptman, J.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, 12 Phys Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Email: sorel@ific.uv.es |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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| Publisher |
Springer |
Place of Publication |
|
Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
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Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
1029-8479 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000448191500001 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
3779 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
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| |
| Author |
NEXT Collaboration (Adams, C. et al); Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Vara, M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Yahlali, N. |
| Title |
Sensitivity of a tonne-scale NEXT detector for neutrinoless double-beta decay searches |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Journal of High Energy Physics |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. High Energy Phys. |
| Volume |
08 |
Issue |
8 |
Pages |
164 - 24pp |
| Keywords |
Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments) |
| Abstract |
The Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC (NEXT) searches for the neutrinoless double-beta (0 nu beta beta) decay of Xe-136 using high-pressure xenon gas TPCs with electroluminescent amplification. A scaled-up version of this technology with about 1 tonne of enriched xenon could reach in less than 5 years of operation a sensitivity to the half-life of 0 nu beta beta decay better than 10(27) years, improving the current limits by at least one order of magnitude. This prediction is based on a well-understood background model dominated by radiogenic sources. The detector concept presented here represents a first step on a compelling path towards sensitivity to the parameter space defined by the inverted ordering of neutrino masses, and beyond. |
| Address |
[Hauptman, J.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Ames, IA USA |
| Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
|
| Publisher |
Springer |
Place of Publication |
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Editor |
|
| Language |
English |
Summary Language |
|
Original Title |
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| Series Editor |
|
Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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| Series Volume |
|
Series Issue |
|
Edition |
|
| ISSN |
1029-8479 |
ISBN |
|
Medium |
|
| Area |
|
Expedition |
|
Conference |
|
| Notes |
WOS:000694208600001 |
Approved |
no |
| Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
| Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
4967 |
| Permanent link to this record |
| |
|
| |
| Author |
NEXT Collaboration (Henriques, C.A.O. et al); Alvarez, V.; Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.M.; Botas, A.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Kekic, M.; Laing, A.; Lopez-March, N.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Lema, G.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Musti, M.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Perez, J.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Romo-Luque, C.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N. |
| Title |
Electroluminescence TPCs at the thermal diffusion limit |
Type |
Journal Article |
| Year |
2019 |
Publication |
Journal of High Energy Physics |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. High Energy Phys. |
| Volume |
01 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
027 - 23pp |
| Keywords |
Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments); Photon production; Particle correlations and fluctuations; Rare decay |
| Abstract |
The NEXT experiment aims at searching for the hypothetical neutrinoless double-beta decay from the Xe-136 isotope using a high-purity xenon TPC. Efficient discrimination of the events through pattern recognition of the topology of primary ionisation tracks is a major requirement for the experiment. However, it is limited by the diffusion of electrons. It is known that the addition of a small fraction of a molecular gas to xenon reduces electron diffusion. On the other hand, the electroluminescence (EL) yield drops and the achievable energy resolution may be compromised. We have studied the effect of adding several molecular gases to xenon (CO2, CH4 and CF4) on the EL yield and energy resolution obtained in a small prototype of driftless gas proportional scintillation counter. We have compared our results on the scintillation characteristics (EL yield and energy resolution) with a microscopic simulation, obtaining the diffusion coefficients in those conditions as well. Accordingly, electron diffusion may be reduced from about 10 for pure xenon down to 2.5 using additive concentrations of about 0.05%, 0.2% and 0.02% for CO2, CH4 and CF4, respectively. Our results show that CF4 admixtures present the highest EL yield in those conditions, but very poor energy resolution as a result of huge fluctuations observed in the EL formation. CH4 presents the best energy resolution despite the EL yield being the lowest. The results obtained with xenon admixtures are extrapolated to the operational conditions of the NEXT-100 TPC. CO2 and CH4 show potential as molecular additives in a large xenon TPC. While CO2 has some operational constraints, making it difficult to be used in a large TPC, CH4 shows the best performance and stability as molecular additive to be used in the NEXT-100 TPC, with an extrapolated energy resolution of 0.4% at 2.45 MeV for concentrations below 0.4%, which is only slightly worse than the one obtained for pure xenon. We demonstrate the possibility to have an electroluminescence TPC operating very close to the thermal diffusion limit without jeopardizing the TPC performance, if CO2 or CH4 are chosen as additives. |
| Address |
[Henriques, C. A. O.; Monteiro, C. M. B.; Freitas, E. D. C.; Mano, R. D. P.; Jorge, M. R.; Fernandes, A. F. M.; Fernandes, L. M. P.; dos Santos, J. M. F.] Univ Coimbra, Phys Dept, LIBPhys, Rua Larga, P-3004516 Coimbra, Portugal, Email: pancho@gian.fis.uc.pt |
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Springer |
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English |
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1029-8479 |
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WOS:000455157300002 |
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no |
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yes |
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yes |
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IFIC @ pastor @ |
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3873 |
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