The new generation of double beta decay experiments: are there any limitations?

• Published in: Journal of physics. G, Nuclear and particle physics Nuclear and particle physics, 2012-08, Vol.39 (8), p.85103-8
• Main Author: Barabash, A S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beta decay; Bolometers; Counting; double beta decay; Energy resolution; Enrichment; Isotopes; low background detectors; neutrino mass; Particle physics; Searching
• ISSN: 0954-3899; 1361-6471
• DOI: 10.1088/0954-3899/39/8/085103

The new generation of experiments to search for neutrinoless double beta decay with a sensitivity to the effective Majorana neutrino mass at the level ∼1-5 meV is discussed. Possible restrictions on the achievement of this goal (the difficulty of enriching the large quantity of isotopes, the inability to reach the very low background levels, the difficulty of achieving the necessary energy resolution and the possible cost of experiments) are considered. It is shown that for the realization of such an ambitious project, 10 tons (or more) of enriched isotope is required. The background index must be at the level 10−5-10−6 counts (kg keV yr)−1. The energy resolution of the detector must not be worse than 1%. It is shown that a 130TeO2 low temperature bolometer looks to be the most realistic candidate for such an experiment. Under some conditions, experiments with 76Ge, 100Mo and 136Xe can be realized too.