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Author NEXT Collaboration (Novella, P. et al); Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Lopez, F.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.
Title Demonstration of neutrinoless double beta decay searches in gaseous xenon with NEXT Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 09 Issue (down) 9 Pages 190 - 35pp
Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments); Rare Decay
Abstract The NEXT experiment aims at the sensitive search of the neutrinoless double beta decay in Xe-136, using high-pressure gas electroluminescent time projection chambers. The NEXT-White detector is the first radiopure demonstrator of this technology, operated in the Laboratorio Subterr & aacute;neo de Canfranc. Achieving an energy resolution of 1% FWHM at 2.6 MeV and further background rejection by means of the topology of the reconstructed tracks, NEXT-White has been exploited beyond its original goals in order to perform a neu-trinoless double beta decay search. The analysis considers the combination of 271.6 days of Xe-136-enriched data and 208.9 days of 136Xe-depleted data. A detailed background mod-eling and measurement has been developed, ensuring the time stability of the radiogenic and cosmogenic contributions across both data samples. Limits to the neutrinoless mode are obtained in two alternative analyses: a background-model-dependent approach and a novel direct background-subtraction technique, offering results with small dependence on the background model assumptions. With a fiducial mass of only 3.50 +/- 0.01 kg of Xe-136-enriched xenon, 90% C.L. lower limits to the neutrinoless double beta decay are found in the T-1/2(0 nu) > 5.5x10(23) -1.3x10(24) yr range, depending on the method. The presented techniques stand as a pro of-of-concept for the searches to be implemented with larger NEXT detectors.
Address [Hauptman, J.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Email: pau.novella@ific.uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:001085073500001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5798
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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 (down) 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 Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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
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Author NEXT Collaboration (Byrnes, N.K. et al); Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Lopez, F.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.
Title NEXT-CRAB-0: a high pressure gaseous xenon time projection chamber with a direct VUV camera based readout Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 18 Issue (down) 8 Pages P08006 - 33pp
Keywords Double-beta decay detectors; Optical detector readout concepts; Particle tracking detectors (Gaseous detectors); Time projection chambers
Abstract The search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) remains one of the most compelling experimental avenues for the discovery in the neutrino sector. Electroluminescent gas-phase time projection chambers are well suited to 0νββ searches due to their intrinsically precise energy resolution and topological event identification capabilities. Scalability to ton-and multi-ton masses requires readout of large-area electroluminescent regions with fine spatial resolution, low radiogenic backgrounds, and a scalable data acquisition system. This paper presents a detector prototype that records event topology in an electroluminescent xenon gas TPC via VUV image-intensified cameras. This enables an extendable readout of large tracking planes with commercial devices that reside almost entirely outside of the active medium. Following further development in intermediate scale demonstrators, this technique may represent a novel and enlargeable method for topological event imaging in 0νββ.
Address [Byrnes, N. K.; Parmaksiz, I; Asaadi, J.; Baeza-Rubio, J.; Jones, B. J. P.; Mistry, K.; Moya, I. A.; Nygren, D. R.; Stogsdill, K.; Navarro, K. E.] Univ Texas Arlington, Dept Phys, Arlington, TX 76019 USA
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher IOP Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1748-0221 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:001084390900004 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5764
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Author NEXT Collaboration; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Felkai, R.; Kekic, M.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Lema, G.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Yahlali, N.
Title Mitigation of backgrounds from cosmogenic Xe-137 in xenon gas experiments using He-3 neutron capture Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Journal of Physics G Abbreviated Journal J. Phys. G
Volume 47 Issue (down) 7 Pages 075001 - 17pp
Keywords gaseous detectors; scintillators; scintillation and light emission processes; solid; gas and liquid scintillators
Abstract Xe-136 is used as the target medium for many experiments searching for 0 nu beta beta. Despite underground operation, cosmic muons that reach the laboratory can produce spallation neutrons causing activation of detector materials. A potential background that is difficult to veto using muon tagging comes in the form of Xe-137 created by the capture of neutrons on Xe-136. This isotope decays via beta decay with a half-life of 3.8 min and a Q(beta) of similar to 4.16 MeV. This work proposes and explores the concept of adding a small percentage of He-3 to xenon as a means to capture thermal neutrons and reduce the number of activations in the detector volume. When using this technique we find the contamination from Xe-137 activation can be reduced to negligible levels in tonne and multi-tonne scale high pressure gas xenon neutrinoless double beta decay experiments running at any depth in an underground laboratory.
Address [Rogers, L.; Jones, B. J. P.; Laing, A.; Pingulkar, S.; Smithers, B.; Woodruff, K.; Byrnes, N.; Dingler, R.; McDonald, A. D.; Nygren, D. R.] Univ Texas Arlington, Dept Phys, POB 19059, Arlington, TX 76019 USA, Email: leslie.rogers@mavs.uta.edu
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0954-3899 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000537753800001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4423
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Simon, A. 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.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Yahlali, N.
Title Boosting background suppression in the NEXT experiment through Richardson-Lucy deconvolution Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 07 Issue (down) 7 Pages 146 - 38pp
Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments)
Abstract Next-generation neutrinoless double beta decay experiments aim for half-life sensitivities of similar to 10(27) yr, requiring suppressing backgrounds to < 1 count/tonne/yr. For this, any extra background rejection handle, beyond excellent energy resolution and the use of extremely radiopure materials, is of utmost importance. The NEXT experiment exploits differences in the spatial ionization patterns of double beta decay and single-electron events to discriminate signal from background. While the former display two Bragg peak dense ionization regions at the opposite ends of the track, the latter typically have only one such feature. Thus, comparing the energies at the track extremes provides an additional rejection tool. The unique combination of the topology-based background discrimination and excellent energy resolution (1% FWHM at the Q-value of the decay) is the distinguishing feature of NEXT. Previous studies demonstrated a topological background rejection factor of <similar to> 5 when reconstructing electron-positron pairs in the Tl-208 1.6 MeV double escape peak (with Compton events as background), recorded in the NEXT-White demonstrator at the Laboratorio Subterraneo de Canfranc, with 72% signal efficiency. This was recently improved through the use of a deep convolutional neural network to yield a background rejection factor of similar to 10 with 65% signal efficiency. Here, we present a new reconstruction method, based on the Richardson-Lucy deconvolution algorithm, which allows reversing the blurring induced by electron diffusion and electroluminescence light production in the NEXT TPC. The new method yields highly refined 3D images of reconstructed events, and, as a result, significantly improves the topological background discrimination. When applied to real-data 1.6 MeV e(-)e(+) pairs, it leads to a background rejection factor of 27 at 57% signal efficiency.
Address [Hauptman, J.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Ames, IA USA, Email: ander@post.bgu.ac.il;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000677621700001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4906
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Navarro, K.E. et al); Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Lopez, F.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.
Title A compact dication source for Ba2+ tagging and heavy metal ion sensor development Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 18 Issue (down) 7 Pages P07044 - 19pp
Keywords Beam Optics; Heavy-ion detectors; Ion identification systems; Ion sources (positive ions; negative ions; electron cyclotron resonance (ECR); electron beam (EBIS))
Abstract We present a tunable metal ion beam that delivers controllable ion currents in the picoamp range for testing of dry-phase ion sensors. Ion beams are formed by sequential atomic evaporation and single or multiple electron impact ionization, followed by acceleration into a sensing region. Controllability of the ionic charge state is achieved through tuning of electrode potentials that influence the retention time in the ionization region. Barium, lead, and cadmium samples have been used to test the system, with ion currents identified and quantified using a quadrupole mass analyzer. Realization of a clean Ba2+ ion beam within a bench-top system represents an important technical advance toward the development and characterization of barium tagging systems for neutrinoless double beta decay searches in xenon gas. This system also provides a testbed for investigation of novel ion sensing methodologies for environmental assay applications, with dication beams of Pb2+ and Cd2+ also demonstrated for this purpose.
Address [Navarro, K. E.; Baeza-Rubio, J.; Giri, S.; Jones, B. J. P.; Nygren, D. R.; Samaniego, F. J.; Stogsdill, K.; Tiscareno, M. R.; Byrnes, N.; Dey, E.; Mistry, K.; Parmaksiz, I.] Univ Texas Arlington, Dept Phys, Arlington, TX 76019 USA, Email: karen.navarro@uta.edu
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher IOP Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1748-0221 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:001106703500002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5860
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Martin-Albo, J. et al); Muñoz Vidal, J.; Ferrario, P.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lopez-March, N.; Lorca, D.; Martinez, A.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, P.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.
Title Sensitivity of NEXT-100 to neutrinoless double beta decay Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 05 Issue (down) 5 Pages 159 - 30pp
Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments); Rare decay
Abstract NEXT-100 is an electroluminescent high-pressure xenon gas time projection chamber that will search for the neutrinoless double beta (0v beta beta) decay of Xe-136. The detector possesses two features of great value for 0v beta beta searches: energy resolution better than 1% FWHM at the Q value of Xe-136 and track reconstruction for the discrimination of signal and background events. This combination results in excellent sensitivity, as discussed in this paper. Material-screening measurements and a detailed Monte Carlo detector simulation predict a background rate for NEXT-100 of at most 4 x 10(-4) counts keV(-1) kg(-1) yr(-1). Accordingly, the detector will reach a sensitivity to the 0v beta beta-decay half-life of 2.8 x 10(25) years (90% CL) for an exposure of 100 kg.year, or 6.0 x 10(25) years after a run of 3 effective years.
Address [Martin-Albo, J.; Munoz Vidal, J.; Ferrario, P.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.; Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J. V.; Cervera, A.; Diaz, J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lopez-March, N.; Lorca, D.; Martinez, A.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.] CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Calle Catedrat Jose Beltran 2, Valencia 46980, Spain, Email: justo.martin-albo@ific.uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000391745200003 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 2928
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Novella, P. et al); Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Vara, M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Yahlali, N.
Title Measurement of the Xe-136 two-neutrino double-beta-decay half-life via direct background subtraction in NEXT Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Physical Review C Abbreviated Journal Phys. Rev. C
Volume 105 Issue (down) 5 Pages 055501 - 8pp
Keywords
Abstract We report a measurement of the half-life of the Xe-136 two-neutrino double-beta decay performed with a novel direct-background-subtraction technique. The analysis relies on the data collected with the NEXT-White detector operated with Xe-136-enriched and Xe-136-depleted xenon, as well as on the topology of double-electron tracks. With a fiducial mass of only 3.5 kg of Xe, a half-life of 2.34(-0.46)(+0.80) (stat)(-0.17)(+0.30) (sys) x 10(21) yr is derived from the background-subtracted energy spectrum. The presented technique demonstrates the feasibility of unique background-model-independent neutrinoless double-beta-decay searches.
Address [Novella, P.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J., V; Diaz, J.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Vara, M.; Vidal, J. Munoz; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Yahlali, N.] CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Calle Catedrat Jose Beltran 2, E-46980 Paterna, Spain, Email: auson@ific.uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Physical Soc Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2469-9985 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000810927800003 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5263
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Haefner, J. et al); Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Querol, M.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Soto-Oton, J.; Uson, A.
Title Demonstration of event position reconstruction based on diffusion in the NEXT-white detector Type Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication European Physical Journal C Abbreviated Journal Eur. Phys. J. C
Volume 84 Issue (down) 5 Pages 518 - 13pp
Keywords
Abstract Noble element time projection chambers are a leading technology for rare event detection in physics, such as for dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay searches. Time projection chambers typically assign event position in the drift direction using the relative timing of prompt scintillation and delayed charge collection signals, allowing for reconstruction of an absolute position in the drift direction. In this paper, alternate methods for assigning event drift distance via quantification of electron diffusion in a pure high pressure xenon gas time projection chamber are explored. Data from the NEXT-White detector demonstrate the ability to achieve good position assignment accuracy for both high- and low-energy events. Using point-like energy deposits from Kr-83m calibration electron captures (E similar to 45 keV), the position of origin of low-energy events is determined to 2 cm precision with bias <1 mm. A convolutional neural network approach is then used to quantify diffusion for longer tracks (E >= 1.5 MeV), from radiogenic electrons, yielding a precision of 3 cm on the event barycenter. The precision achieved with these methods indicates the feasibility energy calibrations of better than 1% FWHM at Q(beta beta) in pure xenon, as well as the potential for event fiducialization in large future detectors using an alternate method that does not rely on primary scintillation.
Address [Haefner, J.; Contreras, T.] Harvard Univ, Dept Phys, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, Email: karen.navarro@uta.edu
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1434-6044 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:001228898800001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 6138
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Fernandes, A.F.M. et al); Alvarez, V.; Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.M.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Herrero, P.; Kekic, M.; Lopez-March, N.; Martinez-Lema, G.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Yahlali, N.
Title Low-diffusion Xe-He gas mixtures for rare-event detection: electroluminescence yield Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 04 Issue (down) 4 Pages 034 - 18pp
Keywords Particle correlations and fluctuations; Photon production; Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments); Rare decay
Abstract High pressure xenon Time Projection Chambers (TPC) based on secondary scintillation (electroluminescence) signal amplification are being proposed for rare event detection such as directional dark matter, double electron capture and double beta decay detection. The discrimination of the rare event through the topological signature of primary ionisation trails is a major asset for this type of TPC when compared to single liquid or double-phase TPCs, limited mainly by the high electron diffusion in pure xenon. Helium admixtures with xenon can be an attractive solution to reduce the electron diffu- sion significantly, improving the discrimination efficiency of these optical TPCs. We have measured the electroluminescence (EL) yield of Xe-He mixtures, in the range of 0 to 30% He and demonstrated the small impact on the EL yield of the addition of helium to pure xenon. For a typical reduced electric field of 2.5 kV/cm/bar in the EL region, the EL yield is lowered by similar to 2%, 3%, 6% and 10% for 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% of helium concentration, respectively. This decrease is less than what has been obtained from the most recent simulation framework in the literature. The impact of the addition of helium on EL statistical fluctuations is negligible, within the experimental uncertainties. The present results are an important benchmark for the simulation tools to be applied to future optical TPCs based on Xe-He mixtures.
Address [Hauptman, J.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, 12 Phys Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Email: cristinam@uc.pt
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000525257400001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4366
Permanent link to this record