Berlin 2005 – scientific programme
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T: Teilchenphysik
T 204: Neutrinos I
T 204.5: Talk
Friday, March 4, 2005, 15:05–15:20, TU H1029
2β 0ν decay detection with 150Nd — •Vitali Lazarev1, Lothar Oberauer1, Stefan Schönert2, and Eckehart Nolte1 — 1Technische Universität München — 2Max-Planck Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg
150Nd is one of the most interesting candidates for the detection of the 2β 0ν decay. It has the shortest life-time, large Q-value and a high natural isotopic ratio. The main challenge is to develop a detector with a sufficient Nd concentration, a low background, and a good energy resolution.
Three types of detectors were considered: a crystal scintillator, a cryogenic detector, and a liquid scintillator.
A small crystal of Nd2(WO4)3 was produced and checked for its scintillation properties. No light emission was observed within the wavelength range from 300 nm to 1000 nm. Other chemical compositions of Nd did not show any luminescence either.
A crystal of NdGaO3 was cooled down in a He dilution refrigerator. Due to the high heat capacity it was not possible to reach temperatures below 60 mK. No phononic signal was observed applying a γ-source.
A possibility to dissolve Nd in an organic scintillator was considered. Nd concentration of about 0.1 % was reached. An experiment to measure 2β 0ν decay is proposed.