arXiv subjects

Takumi Omori

Publications and source records attributed to Takumi Omori.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Nonproportional Response of a GAGG Scintillator to Beta and Gamma Radiation over a Wide Energy Range in PIKACHU

Nonproportional response of scintillation light yield for sub-MeV radiations is a well-known characteristic of inorganic scintillators. In the PIKACHU experiment, a precise understanding of the nonproportional response of the GAGG ($\mathrm{Ce:Gd_3Al_2Ga_3O_{12}}$) scintillator is essential for background modeling. In this study, the nonproportional response of the GAGG scintillator was evaluated for both $β$ and $γ$ rays. The response for $β$ rays was measured using the Compton coincidence technique with a germanium detector, while that for $γ$ rays was evaluated using several monoenergetic $γ$-ray sources. The measurement results showed different responses for $β$ and $γ$ rays, with a stronger nonproportional response for $γ$ rays than for $β$ rays over the energy range of 50--2614~keV. The background model incorporating the measured nonproportional responses reproduced the measured background spectra more accurately compared with the model without the nonproportional response correction. These results demonstrate the importance of precise evaluation of the nonproportional response of the GAGG scintillator which is essential not only for background modeling in the PIKACHU experiment but also for accurate energy calibration in scintillator-based experiments.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Simulation Tool Development and Sensitivity Analysis of 160Gd Double Beta Decay Search by the PIKACHU Project

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0v2b) has been investigated as a physical process that can provide evidence for the Majorana nature of neutrinos. The theoretical predictions of the 0v2b rate are subject to significant uncertainty, primarily due to nuclear matrix elements (NME). To reduce this uncertainty, experimental measurements of the half-lives of two-neutrino double beta decay (2v2b) in various nuclei are essential as a benchmark for NME calculations. The PIKACHU (Pure Inorganic scintillator experiment in KAmioka for CHallenging Underground sciences) project searches for the previously unobserved 2v2b decay of 160Gd, employing Ce-doped Gd3Ga3Al2O12 (GAGG) single crystals. In the Phase 1 experiment, we aim to improve the current lower limit on the 2v2b half-life of 160Gd by a prior study using a Ce-doped Gd2SiO5 (GSO) crystal. Ultimately, in Phase 2, the project seeks to achieve a sensitivity surpassing the theoretical prediction of 7.4 x 10^20 years, enabling the potential discovery of the 160Gd 2v2b decay. In this paper, we describe the development of background models based on GEANT4 simulations. The modeled backgrounds are contributions from uranium and thorium decay chains, 40K present in GAGG, and 40K gamma-rays from outside of GAGG. Additionally, we developed models for both 2v2b and 0v2b decay by implementing the theoretical kinematics of two-electron emission in double beta decay in the GEANT4 simulation. As a result, our background models successfully reproduced the measured background spectrum through fitting. By generating pseudo background spectra expected in Phase 1 and analyzing them with the combined background and 2v2b models, we evaluated the 2v2b sensitivity of Phase 1 to be 2.78 x 10^19 years (90% C.L.). This paper presents the development of these simulation models and the expected sensitivities for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 based on the pseudo data analyses.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

First Study of the PIKACHU Project: Development and Evaluation of High-Purity Gd$_3$Ga$_3$Al$_2$O$_{12}$:Ce Crystals for $^{160}$Gd Double Beta Decay Search

Uncovering neutrinoless double beta decay (0$ν$2$β$) is crucial for confirming neutrinos' Majorana characteristics. The decay rate of 0$νββ$ is theoretically uncertain, influenced by nuclear matrix elements that vary across nuclides. To reduce this uncertainty, precise measurement of the half-life of neutrino-emitting double beta decay (2$ν$2$β$) in different nuclides is essential. We have launched the PIKACHU (Pure Inorganic scintillator experiment in KAmioka for CHallenging Underground sciences) project to fabricate high-purity Ce-doped Gd$_{3}$Ga$_{3}$Al$_{2}$O$_{12}$ (GAGG) single crystals and use them to study the double beta decay of $^{160}$Gd. Predictions from two theoretical models on nuclear matrix element calculations for 2$ν$2$β$ in $^{160}$Gd show a significant discrepancy in estimated half-lives, differing by approximately an order of magnitude. If the lower half-life estimation holds true, detecting 2$ν$2$β$ in $^{160}$Gd could be achievable with a sensitivity enhancement slightly more than an order of magnitude compared to prior investigations using Ce-doped Gd$_2$SiO$_5$ (GSO) crystal. We have successfully developed GAGG crystals with purity levels surpassing previous standards through refined purification and selection of raw materials. Our experiments with these crystals indicate the feasibility of reaching sensitivities exceeding those of earlier studies. This paper discusses the ongoing development and scintillator performance evaluation of High-purity GAGG crystals, along with the anticipated future prospects of the PIKACHU experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Precision beam telescope based on SOI pixel sensor technology for electrons in the energy range of sub-GeV to GeV

We developed a beam telescope system comprising five layers of 300-$μ$m-thick INTPIX4NA monolithic pixel sensors with each pixel size of 17 $μ$m square. The sensors were fabricated using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. The signal-to-noise ratio of 140--230 is realized at a bias voltage of 20~V. The tracker system was tested using a positron beam of 200--822 MeV/c, and various tracking methods are examined to optimize spatial precision achievable at these energies. The best tracking precision including the precision of the sensor under test itself is 11.04 $\pm$ 0.10 $μ$m for 822-MeV/c positrons for an equidistant sensor spacing of 32 mm. The achieved precision results combined with the intrinsic spatial resolution value obtained for a similar system using 120 GeV protons are used to estimate the tracking performance of electrons in the GeV energy range; a tracking precision of 2.22 $μ$m is evaluated for 5-GeV electrons. The method to estimate the tracking performance is verified using a Geant4-based simulation. The developed high precision tracker system enables to map the detailed performance of the sensors with pixel sizes of $\mathcal{O}$(10 $μ$m), therefore will be a powerful system for development of devices targeting precision position resolutions.

physics.ins-det↗