Álvaro Peralta Conde

arXiv2025

Background reduction in $^{136}$Xe double beta decay experiments through direct barium ion detection

Tagging barium ions in double beta decay experiments involving $^{136}$Xe offers a promising pathway to achieving an almost background-free environment, which is essential for addressing key unresolved questions in neutrino physics, such as the nature of neutrinos and their mass hierarchy. In this manuscript, we present a novel detection scheme that relies exclusively on the intrinsic energy levels of the barium ion. This method eliminates the need for additional additives in the xenon vessel, thereby simplifying the experimental setup and enhancing the potential sensitivity of the experiment.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

The intricate path of energy conservation in Quantum Mechanics: exploring Coherent Population Return and laser-matter interaction

This manuscript explores how a seemingly straightforward inquiry, emerging from the widely accepted semiclassical description of laser-matter interaction, concretely from a well-known adiabatic technique as Coherent Population Return (CPR), can pose a challenge to our comprehension of a fundamental principle in Physics like energy conservation. Throughout our investigation to resolve this apparent paradox, we have delved into fundamental concepts, thereby deepening our understanding of the aspects inherent to the formalism of Quantum Mechanics. We emphasize that the significance of attaining a conclusive answer extends beyond the answer itself, encompassing the illuminating journey undertaken to reach it. Consequently, our work holds educational value as it aims to foster a deeper understanding of the phenomenon by elucidating the process employed. This approach not only aids students in grasping the subject matter but also enhances our own understanding of laser-matter interaction and the counterintuitive phenomena that continuously defied our understanding of Quantum Mechanics.

quant-ph↗