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Author NEXT Collaboration (Kekic, M. et al); Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.M.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Lopez-March, N.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Martinez-Lema, G.; Martinez-Vara, M.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Novella, P.; Palmeiro, B.; Querol, M.; Renner, J.; Romo-Luque, C.; Sorel, M.; Uson, A.; Yahlali, N.
Title Demonstration of background rejection using deep convolutional neural networks in the NEXT experiment Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication (up) Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 01 Issue 1 Pages 189 - 22pp
Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments)
Abstract Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are widely used state-of-the-art computer vision tools that are becoming increasingly popular in high-energy physics. In this paper, we attempt to understand the potential of CNNs for event classification in the NEXT experiment, which will search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in Xe-136. To do so, we demonstrate the usage of CNNs for the identification of electron-positron pair production events, which exhibit a topology similar to that of a neutrinoless double-beta decay event. These events were produced in the NEXT-White high-pressure xenon TPC using 2.6 MeV gamma rays from a Th-228 calibration source. We train a network on Monte Carlo-simulated events and show that, by applying on-the-fly data augmentation, the network can be made robust against differences between simulation and data. The use of CNNs offers significant improvement in signal efficiency and background rejection when compared to previous non-CNN-based analyses.
Address [Hauptman, J.; Nygren, D. R.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, 12 Phys Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Email: marija.kekic@usc.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:000616730800001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4729
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Author NEXT Collaboration (Martinez-Lema, G. et al); Benlloch-Rodriguez, J.M.; Carcel, S.; Carrion, J.V.; Diaz, J.; Felkai, R.; Kekic, M.; 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 Sensitivity of the NEXT experiment to Xe-124 double electron capture Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication (up) Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 02 Issue 2 Pages 203 - 25pp
Keywords Dark Matter and Double Beta Decay (experiments)
Abstract Double electron capture by proton-rich nuclei is a second-order nuclear process analogous to double beta decay. Despite their similarities, the decay signature is quite different, potentially providing a new channel to measure the hypothesized neutrinoless mode of these decays. The Standard-Model-allowed two-neutrino double electron capture (2 nu EC EC) has been predicted for a number of isotopes, but only observed in Kr-78, Ba-130 and, recently, Xe-124. The sensitivity to this decay establishes a benchmark for the ultimate experimental goal, namely the potential to discover also the lepton-number-violating neutrinoless version of this process, 0 nu EC EC. Here we report on the current sensitivity of the NEXT-White detector to Xe-124 2 nu EC EC and on the extrapolation to NEXT-100. Using simulated data for the 2 nu EC EC signal and real data from NEXT-White operated with Xe-124-depleted gas as background, we define an optimal event selection that maximizes the NEXT-White sensitivity. We estimate that, for NEXT-100 operated with xenon gas isotopically enriched with 1 kg of Xe-124 and for a 5-year run, a sensitivity to the 2 nu EC EC half-life of 6 x 10(22) y (at 90% confidence level) or better can be reached.
Address [Goldschmidt, A.; Hauptman, J.; Laing, A.; Martinez, A.; Para, A.] Iowa State Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, 12 Phys Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Email: gonzalo.martinez.lema@weizmann.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:000624564800002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4749
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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 (up) Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 07 Issue 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 (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 (up) 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 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 (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 (up) Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 09 Issue 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
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Oliveira, C.A.B.; Sorel, M.; Martin-Albo, J.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Ferreira, A.L.; Veloso, J.F.C.A.
Title Energy resolution studies for NEXT Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication (up) Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 6 Issue Pages P05007 - 13pp
Keywords Scintillators, scintillation and light emission processes (solid, gas and liquid scintillators); Detector modelling and simulations II (electric fields, charge transport, multiplication and induction, pulse formation, electron emission etc); Large detector systems for particle and astroparticle physics; Time projection chambers
Abstract This work aims to present the current state of simulations of electroluminescence (EL) produced in gas-based detectors with special interest for NEXT – Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC. NEXT is a neutrinoless double beta decay experiment, thus needs outstanding energy resolution which can be achieved by using electroluminescence. The process of light production is reviewed and properties such as EL yield and associated fluctuations, excitation and electroluminescence efficiencies, and energy resolution, are calculated. An EL production region with a 5 mm width gap between two infinite parallel planes is considered, where a uniform electric field is produced. The pressure and temperature considered are 10 bar and 293 K, respectively. The results show that, even for low values of VUV photon detection efficiency, good energy resolution can be achieved: below 0.4% (FWHM) at Q(beta beta) = 2.458 MeV.
Address [Oliveira, CAB; Ferreira, AL; Veloso, JFCA] Univ Aveiro, Dept Phys, i3N, P-3810193 Aveiro, Portugal, Email: carlos.oliveira@ua.pt
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:000294491900008 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ elepoucu @ Serial 747
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Alvarez, V. et al); Agramunt, J.; Ball, M.; Bayarri, J.; Carcel, S.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Ferrario, P.; Gil, A.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Gonzalez, K.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Monrabal, F.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Perez, J.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.
Title SiPMs coated with TPB: coating protocol and characterization for NEXT Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication (up) Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 7 Issue Pages P02010
Keywords
Abstract Silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) are the photon detectors chosen for the tracking read-out in NEXT, a neutrinoless beta beta decay experiment which uses a high pressure gaseous xenon time projection chamber (TPC). The reconstruction of event track and topology in this gaseous detector is a key handle for background rejection. Among the commercially available sensors that can be used for tracking, SiPMs offer important advantages, mainly high gain, ruggedness, cost-effectiveness and radio-purity. Their main drawback, however, is their non sensitivity in the emission spectrum of the xenon scintillation (peak at 175 nm). This is overcome by coating these sensors with the organic wavelength shifter tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB). In this paper we describe the protocol developed for coating the SiPMs with TPB and the measurements performed for characterizing the coatings as well as the performance of the coated sensors in the UV-VUV range.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language 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:000303940900076 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 1028
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Alvarez, V. et al); Carcel, S.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Ferrario, P.; Gil, A.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Gonzalez, K.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.
Title NEXT-100 Technical Design Report (TDR). Executive summary Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication (up) Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 7 Issue Pages T06001 - 34pp
Keywords Detector design and construction technologies and materials; Time projection chambers
Abstract In this Technical Design Report (TDR) we describe the NEXT-100 detector that will search for neutrinoless double beta decay (beta beta 0v) in Xe-136 at the Laboratorio Subterraneo de Canfranc (LSC), in Spain. The document formalizes the design presented in our Conceptual Design Report (CDR): an electroluminescence time projection chamber, with separate readout planes for calorimetry and tracking, located, respectively, behind cathode and anode. The detector is designed to hold a maximum of about 150 kg of xenon at 15 bar, or 100 kg at 10 bar. This option builds in the capability to increase the total isotope mass by 50% while keeping the operating pressure at a manageable level. The readout plane performing the energy measurement is composed of Hamamatsu R11410-10 photomultipliers, specially designed for operation in low-background, xenon-based detectors. Each individual PMT will be isolated from the gas by an individual, pressure resistant enclosure and will be coupled to the sensitive volume through a sapphire window. The tracking plane consists in an array of Hamamatsu S10362-11-050P MPPCs used as tracking pixels. They will be arranged in square boards holding 64 sensors (8 x 8) with a 1-cm pitch. The inner walls of the TPC, the sapphire windows and the boards holding the MPPCs will be coated with tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), a wavelength shifter, to improve the light collection.
Address [Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Cervera, A.; Diaz, J.; Ferrario, P.; Gil, A.; Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.; Gonzalez, K.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Munoz Vidal, J.; Nebot, M.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.] CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Valencia 46980, Spain, Email: gomez@mail.cern.ch
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:000306072000030 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 1097
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Alvarez, V. et al); Carcel, S.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Ferrario, P.; Gil, A.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Martinez, A.; Monrabal, F.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.
Title Initial results of NEXT-DEMO, a large-scale prototype of the NEXT-100 experiment Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication (up) Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 8 Issue Pages P04002 - 25pp
Keywords Double-beta decay detectors; Time projection chambers; Pattern recognition, cluster finding, calibration and fitting methods
Abstract NEXT-DEMO is a large-scale prototype of the NEXT-100 detector, an electroluminescent time projection chamber that will search for the neutrinoless double beta decay of Xe-136 using 100-150 kg of enriched xenon gas. NEXT-DEMO was built to prove the expected performance of NEXT-100, namely, energy resolution better than 1% FWHM at 2.5MeV and event topological reconstruction. In this paper we describe the prototype and its initial results. A resolution of 1.75% FWHM at 511 keV (which extrapolates to 0.8% FWHM at 2.5 MeV) was obtained at 10 bar pressure using a gamma-ray calibration source. Also, a basic study of the event topology along the longitudinal coordinate is presented, proving that it is possible to identify the distinct dE/dx of electron tracks in high-pressure xenon using an electroluminescence TPC.
Address CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Valencia 46980, Spain, Email: justo.martin-albo@ific.uv.es
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:000317462400009 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 1414
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author NEXT Collaboration (Alvarez, V. et al); Carcel, S.; Cervera-Villanueva, A.; Diaz, J.; Ferrario, P.; Gil, A.; Gomez-Cadenas, J.J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Monrabal, F.; Muñoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.
Title Ionization and scintillation response of high-pressure xenon gas to alpha particles Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication (up) Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 8 Issue Pages P05025 - 35pp
Keywords Charge transport, multiplication and electroluminescence in rare gases and liquids; Gaseous detectors; Double-beta decay detectors; Ionization and excitation processes
Abstract High-pressure xenon gas is an attractive detection medium for a variety of applications in fundamental and applied physics. In this paper we study the ionization and scintillation detection properties of xenon gas at 10 bar pressure. For this purpose, we use a source of alpha particles in the NEXT-DEMO time projection chamber, the large scale prototype of the NEXT-100 neutrinoless double beta decay experiment, in three different drift electric field configurations. We measure the ionization electron drift velocity and longitudinal diffusion, and compare our results to expectations based on available electron scattering cross sections on pure xenon. In addition, two types of measurements addressing the connection between the ionization and scintillation yields are performed. On the one hand we observe, for the first time in xenon gas, large event-by-event correlated fluctuations between the ionization and scintillation signals, similar to that already observed in liquid xenon. On the other hand, we study the field dependence of the average scintillation and ionization yields. Both types of measurements may shed light on the mechanism of electron-ion recombination in xenon gas for highly-ionizing particles. Finally, by comparing the response of alpha particles and electrons in NEXT-DEMO, we find no evidence for quenching of the primary scintillation light produced by alpha particles in the xenon gas.
Address [Alvarez, V.; Carcel, S.; Cervera, A.; Diaz, J.; Ferrario, P.; Gil, A.; Gomez-Cadenas, J. J.; Laing, A.; Liubarsky, I.; Lorca, D.; Martin-Albo, J.; Monrabal, F.; Munoz Vidal, J.; Nebot-Guinot, M.; Rodriguez, J.; Serra, L.; Simon, A.; Sorel, M.; Yahlali, N.] CSIC, Inst Fis Corpuscular IFIC, Valencia 46980, Spain, Email: sorel@ific.uv.es
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:000320726000035 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 1513
Permanent link to this record