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arXiv · 1603.08049

Cerenkov light identification with Si low-temperature detectors with Neganov-Luke effect-enhanced sensitivity

Abstract

A new generation of cryogenic light detectors exploiting Neganov-Luke effect to enhance the thermal signal has been used to detect the Cherenkov light emitted by the electrons interacting in TeO$_{2}$ crystals. With this mechanism a high significance event-by-event discrimination between alpha and beta/gamma interactions at the $^{130}$Te neutrino-less double beta decay Q-value - (2527.515 $\pm$ 0.013) keV - has been demonstrated. This measurement opens the possibility of drastically reducing the background in cryogenic experiments based on TeO$_{2}$.

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L. Gironi, M. Biassoni, C. Brofferio, S. Capelli, P. Carniti, L. Cassina, M. Clemenza, O. Cremonesi, M. Faverzani, E. Ferri, E. Fossati, A. Giachero, C. Giordano, C. Gotti, M. Maino, B. Margesin, F. Moretti, A. Nucciotti, M. Pavan, G. Pessina, S. Pozzi, E. Previtali, A. Puiu, M. Sisti, F. Terranova. 2016-03-25. Cerenkov light identification with Si low-temperature detectors with Neganov-Luke effect-enhanced sensitivity. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevc.94.054608

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