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arXiv · 1112.4067

Experimental research of double beta decay of atomic nuclei

F. A. Danevich
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Abstract

Results of several double beta decay experiments, performed with the help of low background crystal scintillators, are presented. In particular, the half-life value of the two-neutrino double beta decay of 116-Cd has been measured as 2.9 10^{19} yr, and the new half-life limit on the neutrinoless double beta decay of 116-Cd has been established as >1.7 10^{23} yr at 90%, which corresponds to a restriction on the neutrino mass <1.7 eV. New half-life bounds on the level of 10^{17}-10^{21} yr were set for double beta processes in 64-Zn, 70-Zn, 106-Cd, 108-Cd, 114-Cd, 136-Ce, 138-Ce, 142-Ce, 160-Gd, 180-W, and 186-W by using low-background CdWO4, GSO, and ZnWO4 crystal scintillators. The claim of discovery of the neutrinoless double beta decay of 76-Ge [Mod. Phys. Lett. A 16 (2001) 2409] was analyzed. The demands of the future high sensitivity double beta decay experiments, aiming to observe the neutrinoless double beta decay or to advance restrictions on the neutrino mass to < 0.01 eV, were considered. Requirements for their sensitivity and discovery potential were formulated. Two projects of double beta experiments with a sensitivity on the level of 10^{26}-10^{27} yr (CAMEO and CARVEL projects) were discussed. Scintillation properties and radioactive contamination of CaWO4, ZnWO4, CdWO4, PbWO4, GSO(Ce), CeF3, yttrium-aluminum garnet doped with neodymium (YAG:Nd) crystal scintillators were studied. Applicability of these scintillators to search for double beta decay was discussed.

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F. A. Danevich. 2011-12-26. Experimental research of double beta decay of atomic nuclei. https://arxiv.org/abs/1112.4067

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