Searching for double beta decay with the LEGEND experiment

用 LEGEND 实验寻找双贝塔衰变

• 批准号: 2733611
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University College London
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2022 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2733611
• 关键词: Searching; double; beta; decay; LEGEND

LEGEND is an experiment designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0vbb) with an unprecedented sensitivity and discovery potential. The observation of this process will have the most profound implications for particle physics. It is the only realistic way to determine the Majorana or Dirac nature of the neutrino, which may shed light on the mechanism behind the dominance of matter over anti-matter in the universe. LEGEND will search for 0vbb of the Ge76 isotope using an array of enriched high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors operated in liquid argon that is used as an active shield. LEGEND will have two phases: LEGEND-200 with HPGe detectors hosting 200 kg of Ge76, and LEGEND-1000 employing 1000kg of enriched HPGe detectors. LEGEND-200 is currently undergoing commissioning at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory in Italy with physics data taking commencing later this year (2022). The UCL group is a key player in LEGEND providing leading contributions to simulations and data analysis, low background technologies and HPGe detector development. The project will focus on data analysis from LEGEND-200 with a focus on the background model building and assessing the contribution from cosmogenic Ar42, one of the most challenging backgrounds that must be mitigated to reach the ultimate LEGEND sensitivity. The project will also include an R&D programme aimed at developing novel HPGe detectors and ultra-low background radiopurity assay methods.

LEGEND是一个旨在寻找无中微子双β衰变（0 vbb）的实验，具有前所未有的灵敏度和发现潜力。对这一过程的观测将对粒子物理学产生最深远的影响。这是确定中微子的马约拉纳或狄拉克性质的唯一现实方法，这可能揭示宇宙中物质对反物质占主导地位的机制。LEGEND将使用一组浓缩的高纯锗（HPGe）探测器在液态氩中作为主动屏蔽运行，以寻找Ge 76同位素的0 vbb。LEGEND将分两个阶段进行：LEGEND-200，其中HPGe探测器装载200千克Ge-76; LEGEND-1000，其中使用1000千克浓缩HPGe探测器。LEGEND-200目前正在意大利的Gran Sasso地下实验室进行调试，物理数据将于今年晚些时候（2022年）开始。UCL集团是LEGEND的关键参与者，为模拟和数据分析、低本底技术和HPGe探测器开发做出了重要贡献。该项目将侧重于LEGEND-200的数据分析，重点是背景模型的建立和评估宇宙成因Ar 42的贡献，这是最具挑战性的背景之一，必须减轻以达到最终的LEGEND灵敏度。该项目还将包括一项研发计划，旨在开发新型HPGe探测器和超低本底放射性纯度分析方法。