Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay and Axion Searches

无中微子双贝塔衰变(NLDBD)是探测中微子粒子-反粒子性质的唯一实验可行的方法。如果中微子是它们自己的反粒子，那么总轻子数的经验守恒将立即被打破，这将揭示宇宙中物质超过反物质过剩的根本问题。此外，NLDBD是理解超越标准模型非零中微子质量的关键。下一代NLDBD实验将有巨大的潜力来观察这种长期寻求的衰变，其深远的影响可能会彻底改变我们对宇宙的理解。PI参与NLDBD实验与该州的经济发展目标保持一致，并使该州能够从桑福德地下研究设施(SURF)进行的令人兴奋的研究中受益。使用美元高性能计算(HPC)平台解决前沿物理问题将培训美元学生在现代社会非常需要的计算技能。计划中的活动将吸引当地社区参与，并将利用美国国家科学基金会现有的基础设施投资，培养一支多元化的STEM劳动力队伍。该奖项将支持为Majorana示范器(MJD)NLDBD实验的运营做出贡献的研究活动。它还将支持研发工作，以解决大型富集锗无中微子双贝塔衰变实验(LEGON)项目的关键问题，该项目是拟议的下一代NLDBD实验之一。研究活动将包括(1)支持SURF的现场操作和非现场监测，以及(2)使用来自多个探测器的相关信号搜索太阳轴子。LENGE实验的研发工作集中于开发和执行模拟研究，以定量和全面地了解LENGE的Muon诱导的背景。MJD实验的低本底也使寻找太阳轴子成为可能。假设轴子可以解决核力中的强电荷宇称问题。寻找轴子可以加深我们对核力的理解。这项奖励将允许在MJD使用一种关联来自美国农业部开发的多个高纯度Ge(HPGe)探测器的信号的方法对太阳轴子进行竞争性搜索。这项奖励反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay (NLDBD) is the only experimentally viable way to probe the particle-antiparticle nature of neutrinos. If neutrinos are their own antiparticles, the empirical conservation of total lepton number will be immediately violated, which will shed light on the fundamental question of matter over anti-matter excess in the Universe. Further, NLDBD is the key to understanding the beyond Standard Model non-zero neutrino mass. A next generation NLDBD experiment will have a significant potential to observe this long-sought decay, with far reaching implications that can revolutionize our understanding of the Universe. The PI's involvement in NLDBD experiments is aligned with the state's goal of economic development and allows the state to benefit in the exciting research occurring at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). Using the USD High Performance Computing (HPC) platform to solve cutting-edge physics problems will train USD students in computation skills that are in great demand in a modern society. The planned activities will engage local communities and will leverage existing NSF infrastructure investments at USD to foster a diverse STEM workforce.This award will support research activities contributing to the operation of the Majorana Demonstrator (MJD) NLDBD experiment. It will also support R&D efforts that address critical questions for the Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (LEGEND) project, one of the proposed next generation NLDBD experiments. Research activities will include (1) support for onsite operation at SURF and offsite monitoring, and (2) search for solar axions using correlated signals from multiple detectors. The R&D efforts for the LEGEND experiment focus on developing and performing simulation studies to gain a quantitative and comprehensive understanding of muon-induced backgrounds for LEGEND. The low background in the MJD experiment also allows the search for solar axions. Axions were postulated to solve the strong charge parity problem in the nuclear force. The search for axions could deepen our understanding of the nuclear force. This award will allow competitive searches of solar axions at MJD using a method correlating signals from multiple High-Purity Ge (HPGe) detectors developed at USD.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.