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Author  |
Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Martin-Albo, J.; Sorel, M.; Ferrario, P.; Monrabal, F.; Muñoz, J.; Novella, P.; Poves, A. |
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Title |
Sense and sensitivity of double beta decay experiments |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
2011 |
Publication |
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys. |
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Volume |
06 |
Issue |
6 |
Pages |
007 - 30pp |
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Keywords |
double beta decay; neutrino experiments; neutrino properties |
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Abstract |
The search for neutrinoless double beta decay is a very active field in which the number of proposals for next-generation experiments has proliferated. In this paper we attempt to address both the sense and the sensitivity of such proposals. Sensitivity comes first, by means of proposing a simple and unambiguous statistical recipe to derive the sensitivity to a putative Majorana neutrino mass, m(beta beta). In order to make sense of how the different experimental approaches compare, we apply this recipe to a selection of proposals, comparing the resulting sensitivities. We also propose a “physics-motivated range” (PMR) of the nuclear matrix elements as a unifying criterium between the different nuclear models. The expected performance of the proposals is parametrized in terms of only four numbers: energy resolution, background rate (per unit time, isotope mass and energy), detection efficiency, and beta beta isotope mass. For each proposal, both a reference and an optimistic scenario for the experimental performance are studied. In the reference scenario we find that all the proposals will be able to partially explore the degenerate spectrum, without fully covering it, although four of them (KamLAND-Zen, CUORE, NEXT and EXO) will approach the 50 meV boundary. In the optimistic scenario, we find that CUORE and the xenon-based proposals (KamLAND-Zen, EXO and NEXT) will explore a significant fraction of the inverse hierarchy, with NEXT covering it almost fully. For the long term future, we argue that Xe-136-based experiments may provide the best case for a 1-ton scale experiment, given the potentially very low backgrounds achievable and the expected scalability to large isotope masses. |
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Address |
[Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.; Martin-Albo, J.; Sorel, M.; Ferrario, P.; Monrabal, F.; Munoz, J.] CSIC, IFIC, Valencia 46071, Spain, Email: gomez@mail.cern.ch |
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Publisher |
Iop Publishing Ltd |
Place of Publication |
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English |
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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 |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1475-7516 |
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Notes |
ISI:000292332400007 |
Approved |
no |
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Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
no |
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Call Number |
IFIC @ elepoucu @ |
Serial |
675 |
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Author |
Renner, J.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Hernando, J.A.; Izmaylov, A.; Monrabal, F.; Muñoz, J.; Nygren, D.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J. |
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Title |
Improved background rejection in neutrinoless double beta decay experiments using a magnetic field in a high pressure xenon TPC |
Type |
Journal Article |
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Year |
2015 |
Publication |
Journal of Instrumentation |
Abbreviated Journal |
J. Instrum. |
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Volume |
10 |
Issue |
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Pages |
P12020 - 19pp |
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Keywords |
Pattern recognition, cluster finding, calibration and fitting methods; Double-beta decay detectors; Time projection chambers; Particle tracking detectors (Gaseous detectors) |
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Abstract |
We demonstrate that the application of an external magnetic field could lead to an improved background rejection in neutrinoless double-beta (0 nu beta beta) decay experiments using a high-pressure xenon (HPXe) TPC. HPXe chambers are capable of imaging electron tracks, a feature that enhances the separation between signal events (the two electrons emitted in the 0 nu beta beta decay of Xe-136) and background events, arising chiefly from single electrons of kinetic energy compatible with the end-point of the 0 nu beta beta decay (Q(beta beta)). Applying an external magnetic field of sufficiently high intensity (in the range of 0.5-1 Tesla for operating pressures in the range of 5-15 atmospheres) causes the electrons to produce helical tracks. Assuming the tracks can be properly reconstructed, the sign of the curvature can be determined at several points along these tracks, and such information can be used to separate signal (0 nu beta beta) events containing two electrons producing a track with two different directions of curvature from background (single-electron) events producing a track that should spiral in a single direction. Due to electron multiple scattering, this strategy is not perfectly efficient on an event-by-event basis, but a statistical estimator can be constructed which can be used to reject background events by one order of magnitude at a moderate cost (about 30%) in signal efficiency. Combining this estimator with the excellent energy resolution and topological signature identification characteristic of the HPXe TPC, it is possible to reach a background rate of less than one count per ton-year of exposure. Such a low background rate is an essential feature of the next generation of 0 nu beta beta experiments, aiming to fully explore the inverse hierarchy of neutrino masses. |
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Address |
[Renner, J.; Imzaylov, A.; Monrabal, F.; Munoz, J.; Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.] CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Calle Catedrat Jose Beltran 2, Valencia 46980, Spain, Email: jrenner@ific.uv.es |
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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 |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1748-0221 |
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Area |
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Expedition |
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Conference |
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Notes |
WOS:000369998500053 |
Approved |
no |
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Is ISI |
yes |
International Collaboration |
yes |
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Call Number |
IFIC @ pastor @ |
Serial |
2549 |
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