arXiv subjects

Giovanni Benato

Publications and source records attributed to Giovanni Benato.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Prospects for precision CE$\nu$NS measurements with electron-capture neutrinos and lithium-based bolometers

We evaluate the feasibility of high-precision coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering measurements exploiting mono-energetic neutrinos produced by electron-capture (EC) decays of intense radioactive sources, such as $^{51}$Cr or $^{37}$Ar. To fully exploit the high neutrino flux achievable with EC sources, and accounting for the low energy of EC neutrinos, we evaluate the sensitivity of a compact array of bolometric detectors with absorbers based on light elements, such as lithium, oxygen and fluorine. With 1 kg of LiF detectors, source activities of $\sim10^{17}$ Bq, and assuming an energy threshold of 20 eV, we expect to achieve a $\sim 3\%$ precision on the determination of the neutrino flux with 90 days of measurement. Such a measurement would represent a test of the gallium neutrino anomaly, and could disentangle nuclear effects on gallium from the misevaluation of the EC source activity or short-baseline neutrino oscillations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

High-precision measurement of $^{215}$Po half-life via delayed-coincidence analysis

We performed a high-precision study of the $^{215}$ Po $\alpha$-decay using a LaBr$_3$ scintillating detector in a low-background environment. The $^{227}$Ac intrinsic contamination in the LaBr$_3$ crystal undergoes a decay chain, producing the intermediate pair of $^{219}$Rn$\rightarrow^{215}$Po$\rightarrow^{211}$Pb decays. The fast time response and good energy resolution of the detector allow for extracting the short half-life of $^{215}$Po from the time correlation of the two subsequent $\alpha$-decays by using the delayed coincidence method. Thanks to high statistics and a comprehensive uncertainty assessment, we obtain the most precise half-life value to date of $^{215}$Po, corresponding to $1.77804\pm0.00091$(stat.)$\pm0.00067$(syst.) ms.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Characterization of a GAGG detector for neutron measurements in underground laboratories

In rare events experiments, such as those devoted to the direct search of dark matter, a precise knowledge of the environmental gamma and neutron backgrounds is crucial for reaching the design experiment sensitivity. The neutron component is often poorly known due to the lack of a scalable detector technology for the precise measurement of low-flux neutron spectra. Gd$_3$Al$_2$Ga$_3$O$_{12}$ (GAGG) is a newly developed, high-density scintillating crystal with a high gadolinium content, which could allow to exploit the high $(n,\gamma)$ cross section of $^{155}$Gd and $^{157}$Gd for neutron measurements in underground environments. GAGG crystals feature a high scintillation light yield, good timing performance, and the capability of particle identification via pulse-shape discrimination. In a low-background environment, the distinctive signature produced by neutron capture on gadolinium, namely a $\beta/\gamma$ cascade releasing up to 9 MeV of total energy, and the efficient particle identification provided by GAGG could yield a background-free neutron capture signal. In this work, we present the characterization of a first GAGG detector prototype in terms of particle discrimination performance, intrinsic radioactive contamination, and neutron response.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

The ECFA Early-Career Researchers Panel: Report for the year 2023

The European Committee for Future Accelerators (ECFA) Early-Career Researcher (ECR) panel, which represents the interests of the ECR community to ECFA, presents in this document its initiatives and activities in the year 2023. This report summarises the process of the first big turnover in the panel composition at the start of 2023 and reports on the activities of the active working groups - either pursued from before or newly established. The overarching goal of the ECFA-ECR panel is to better understand and support the diverse interests of early-career researchers in the ECFA community and beyond.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2024

Results of the 2022 ECFA Early-Career Researchers Panel survey on career prospects and diversity

This document presents the outcomes of a comprehensive survey conducted among early career researchers (ECRs) in academic particle physics. Running from September 24, 2022, to March 3, 2023, the survey gathered responses from 759 ECRs employed in 39 countries. The study aimed to gain insights into the career prospects and experiences of ECRs while also delving into diversity and sociological aspects within particle physics research. The survey results are presented in a manner consistent with the survey choices. The document offers insights for the particle physics community, and provides a set of recommendations for enhancing career prospects, fostering diversity, and addressing sociological dimensions within this field.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2023

LUCE: A milli-Kelvin calorimeter experiment to study the electron capture of 176Lu

The LUCE (LUtetium sCintillation Experiment) project will search for the 176Lu electron capture based on a milli-Kelvin calorimetric approach. This decay is of special interest in the field of nuclear structure, with implications for the s-process and for a better comprehension of the nuclear matrix elements of neutrinoless double beta decay (0ν\b{eta}\b{eta}) and two-neutrino double beta decay (2ν\b{eta}\b{eta}). Possible impacts also include the development of a new class of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) and spin-dependent (independent) dark matter detectors. We report on the current status and design of a novel detector cryogenic-module for the measurement of the electron capture and detail a future measurement plan.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

The ECFA Early Career Researcher's Panel: composition, structure, and activities, 2021 -- 2022

The European Committee for Future Accelerators (ECFA) Early Career Researcher's (ECR) panel, which represents the interests of the ECR community to ECFA, officially began its activities in January 2021. In the first two years, the panel has defined its own internal structure, responded to ECFA requests for feedback, and launched its own initiatives to better understand and support the diverse interests of early career researchers. This report summarises the panel composition and structure, as well as the different activities the panel has been involved with during the first two years of its existence.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2022

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless double-beta decay

The discovery of neutrinoless double-beta decay could soon be within reach. This hypothetical ultra-rare nuclear decay offers a privileged portal to physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Its observation would constitute the discovery of a matter-creating process, corroborating leading theories of why the universe contains more matter than antimatter, and how forces unify at high energy scales. It would also prove that neutrinos and anti-neutrinos are not two distinct particles, but can transform into each other, with their mass described by a unique mechanism conceived by Majorana. The recognition that neutrinos are not massless necessitates an explanation and has boosted interest in neutrinoless double-beta decay. The field stands now at a turning point. A new round of experiments is currently being prepared for the next decade to cover an important region of parameter space. In parallel, advances in nuclear theory are laying the groundwork to connect the nuclear decay with the underlying new physics. Meanwhile, the particle theory landscape continues to find new motivations for neutrinos to be their own antiparticle. This review brings together the experimental, nuclear theory, and particle theory aspects connected to neutrinoless double-beta decay, to explore the path toward - and beyond - its discovery.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Testing the Inverted Neutrino Mass Ordering with Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay

We quantify the extent to which future experiments will test the existence of neutrinoless double-beta decay mediated by light neutrinos with inverted-ordered masses. While it remains difficult to compare measurements performed with different isotopes, we find that future searches will fully test the inverted ordering scenario, as a global, multi-isotope endeavor. They will also test other possible mechanisms driving the decay, including a large uncharted region of the allowed parameter space assuming that neutrino masses follow the normal ordering.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

The GAmmas from Nuclear Decays Hiding from Investigators (GANDHI) Experiment

We propose a high statistics experiment to search for invisible decay modes in nuclear gamma cascades. A radioactive source (such as $^{60}$Co or $^{24}$Na) that triggers gamma cascades is placed in the middle of a large, hermetically sealed scintillation detector, enabling photon identification with high accuracy. Invisible modes are identified by establishing the absence of a photon in a well-identified gamma cascade. We propose the use of fast scintillators with nanosecond timing resolution, permitting event rates as high as $10^{7}$ Hz. Our analysis of the feasibility of this setup indicates that branching fractions as small as $10^{-12} - 10^{-14}$ can be probed. This experimental protocol benefits from the fact that a search for invisible modes is penalized for weak coupling only in the production of the new particle. If successfully implemented, this experiment is an exquisite probe of particles with mass below $\sim$4 MeV that lie in the poorly constrained supernova "trapping window" that exists between 100 keV - 30 MeV. Such particles have been invoked as mediators between dark matter and nucleons, explain the proton radius and $(g-2)_μ$ anomalies and potentially power the shock wave in type II supernovae. The hadronic axion could also be probed with modifications to the proposed setup.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Discovery probability of next-generation neutrinoless double-$β$ decay experiments

The Bayesian discovery probability of future experiments searching for neutrinoless double-$β$ decay is evaluated under the popular assumption that neutrinos are their own antiparticles. A Bayesian global fit is performed to construct a probability distribution for the effective Majorana mass, the observable of interest for these experiments. This probability distribution is then combined with the sensitivity of each experiment derived from a heuristic counting analysis. The discovery probability is found to be higher than previously considered, but strongly depends on whether the neutrino mass ordering is normal or inverted. For the inverted ordering, next-generation experiments are likely to observe a signal already during their first operational stages. Even for the normal ordering, in the absence of neutrino mass mechanisms that drive the lightest state or the effective Majorana mass to zero, the probability of discovering neutrinoless double-$β$ decay can reach $\sim$50% or more in the most promising experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2015

Effective Majorana Mass and Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

The probability distribution for the effective Majorana mass as a function of the lightest neutrino mass in the standard three neutrino scheme is computed via a random sampling from the distributions of the involved mixing angles and squared mass diffences. A flat distribution in the [0,2pi] range for the Majorana phases is assumed, and the dependence of small values of the effective mass on the Majorana phases is highlighted. The study is then extended with the addition of the cosmological bound on the sum of the neutrino masses. Finally, the prospects for neutrinoless double beta decay search with 76Ge, 130Te and 136Xe are discussed, as well as those for the measurement of the electron neutrino mass.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Search of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with the GERDA Experiment

The Gerda experiment designed to search for the neutrinoless double beta decay in 76Ge has successfully completed the first data collection. No signal excess is found, and a lower limit on the half life of the process is set, with T1/2 > 2.1x10^25 yr (90% CL). After a review of the experimental setup and of the main Phase I results, the hardware upgrade for Gerda Phase II is described, and the physics reach of the new data collection is reported.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Production and Characterization of 228Th Calibration Sources with Low Neutron Emission for GERDA

The GERDA experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) searches for the neutrinoless double beta decay of 76-Ge. In view of the GERDA Phase II data collection, four new 228-Th radioactive sources for the calibration of the germanium detectors enriched in 76-Ge have been produced with a new technique, leading to a reduced neutron flux from ( alpha; n ) reactions. The gamma activities of the sources were determined with a total uncertainty of 4 percent using an ultra-low background HPGe detector operated underground at LNGS. The emitted neutron flux was determined using a low background LiI(Eu) detector and a 3-He counter at LNGS. In both cases, a reduction of about one order of magnitude with respect to commercially available 228-Th sources was obtained. Additionally, a specific leak test with a sensitivity to leaks down to 10 mBq was developed to investigate the tightness of the stainless steel capsules housing the sources after their use in cryogenic environment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Enhancement of Light Yield and Stability of Radio-Pure Tetraphenyl-Butadiene Based Coatings for VUV Light Detection in Cryogenic Environments

The detection of VUV scintillation light, e.g. in (liquid) argon detectors, commonly includes a reflector with a fluorescent coating, converting UV photons to visible light. The light yield of these detectors depends directly on the conversion efficiency. Several coating/reflector combinations were produced using VM2000, a specular reflecting multi layer polymer, and Tetratex, a diffuse reflecting PTFE fabric, as reflector foils. The light yield of these coatings was optimised and has been measured in a dedicated liquid argon setup built at the University of Zurich. It employs a small, 1.3 kg LAr cell viewed by a 3-inch, low radioactivity PMT of type R11065-10 from Hamamatsu. The cryogenic stability of these coatings was additionally studied. The optimum reflector/coating combination was found to be Tetratex dip coated with Tetraphenyl-butadiene with a thickness of 0.9 mg/cm$^2$ resulting in a 3.6 times higher light yield compared to uncoated VM2000. Its performance was stable in long term measurements, ran up to 100 days, in liquid argon. This coated reflector was further investigated concerning radioactive impurities found to be suitable for current and upcoming low-background experiments. Therefore it is used for the liquid argon veto in Phase II of the GERDA neutrinoless double beta decay experiment.

physics.ins-det↗