|  | Record | Links | 
	|  | 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. |    
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	|  | Title | Sensitivity of the NEXT experiment to Xe-124 double electron capture | Type | Journal Article | 
	|  | Year | 2021 | Publication | 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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