RUI: A Program of Undergraduate Participation in CUORE and the Search for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

中微子是宇宙中最丰富的粒子之一，但我们不知道它们的许多性质。例如，我们不知道它们的绝对质量尺度或它们的粒子-反粒子性质。由于它们的丰富性，即使是很小的质量也可能对理解它们在我们宇宙演化中的作用产生深远的影响。知道中微子是否是它们自己的反粒子可能会对理解我们宇宙的物质-反物质不对称性产生影响。无中微子双β衰变（NLDBD）实验解决了这两个基本问题。双β衰变是一种罕见的核衰变，当它在能量上有利时，已经在几个核中测量到。有些原子核对普通的β衰变是稳定的，但对双β衰变是不稳定的，在双β衰变中，原子核中的两个中子同时转化为质子，并发射出两个电子。 双β衰变可以通过几种模式进行。实验测量的过程，双中微子模式，其中两个电子反中微子也发射，是完全由已知的物理描述。NLDBD是一种尚未被探测到的衰变，它不涉及处于终态的中微子，这必然表明中微子是它们自己的反粒子。这种衰变的速率决定了有效中微子质量的尺度。CUORE（Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events）是一个在同位素130-Te中寻找NLDBD的实验，目前正在意大利阿塞尔吉的格兰萨索国家实验室建造。CUORE是一种TeO 2晶体阵列，用作低温测辐射热计，用于粒子探测。晶体既充当源又充当吸收量热材料。这些类型的探测器提供了良好的能量分辨率和效率，非常适合NLDBD搜索。该奖项将使PI继续为本科生提供参与CUORE实验的机会。这将涉及的任务包括监测988个晶体上的热敏电阻和加热器的粘合情况，帮助组装校准系统和电子元件，并协助低温恒温器对准，测试探测器的各种子系统，以及低温恒温器冷却或预热诊断。这将为学生提供在世界一流的地下实验室中进行尖端物理实验的宝贵经验。Cal Poly将追求的一个令人兴奋的公共宣传部门是为CUORE物理学开发一个交互式可视化方案。该软件将作为公众深入了解科学过程和探索粒子物理奥秘的渠道。通过加州理工学院的科学和数学教育卓越中心，他们将帮助当地教师开发基于项目的学习模块，用于高中物理课程，其中包括CUORE的基础物理。

Neutrinos are amongst the most abundant particles in the Universe and yet we do not know many of their properties. For example, we do not know their absolute mass scale or their particle-antiparticle nature. Because of their abundance, even a small mass could have far-reaching consequences for understanding their role in the evolution of our Universe. Knowing if neutrinos are their own antiparticles could have implications in understanding the matter-antimatter asymmetry of our Universe. Neutrino-less double beta decay (NLDBD) experiments address these two fundamental questions. Double beta decay is a rare nuclear decay that has been measured in several nuclei when it is energetically favorable. Some nuclei are stable against ordinary beta decay but are unstable for double beta decay in which two neutrons in the nucleus are simultaneously converted to protons and two electrons are emitted. Double beta decay can proceed through several modes. The experimentally measured process, the two-neutrino mode in which two electron antineutrinos are also emitted, is completely described by known physics. NLDBD is an as-yet-undetected decay that involves no neutrinos in the final state and necessarily would indicate that neutrinos are their own antiparticle. The rate of such decays determines the scale for the effective neutrino mass. CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) is an experiment to search for NLDBD in the isotope 130-Te and is currently being built at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Assergi, Italy. CUORE is an array of TeO2 crystals used as cryogenic bolometers for the purpose of particle detection. The crystals act as both the source and the absorbing calorimetric material. These kinds of detectors offer good energy resolution and efficiencies and are well-suited for NLDBD searches. This award will enable the PI to continue to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to participate on the CUORE experiment. This will involve tasks such as monitoring the gluing of thermistors and heaters on the 988 crystals, helping to assemble the calibration system and elements of the electronics and assisting with cryostat alignment, with tests of the various subsystems of the detector and with cryostat cool down or warm up diagnostics. This will give students invaluable experience working with a cutting-edge physics experiment in a world-class underground laboratory. An exciting sector of public outreach that Cal Poly will pursue is to develop an interactive visualization scheme for CUORE physics. This software will serve as a channel for the public to gain insight into the scientific process and explore the mysteries of particle physics. Through Cal Poly's Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education they will help local teachers develop project-based-learning modules for high school physics courses that incorporate the underlying physics of CUORE.