| Speaker: | Andreas Piepke (University of Alabama) |
|---|---|
| Title: | The elusive Neutrino: how double beta decay and the EXO experiment may help unlock its secrets |
| Date (JST): | Wed, May 20, 2009, 10:00 - 11:30 |
| Place: | Seminar Room at IPMU Kamioka Satellite |
| Related File: | 89.pdf |
| Abstract: |
The experimental observation of neutrino oscillations has firmly established neutrino mass and mixing. It is not yet clear whether neutrinos are their own anti-particles or not. The investigation of neutrinoless double beta decay allows to explore this open question. In combination with nuclear structure calculations double beta decay further constrains the absolute neutrino mass scale. EXO is a next generation double beta decay search using isotopically enriched 136Xe. Our collaboration is developing a novel approach to the detection of double beta decay, aiming at the simultaneous detection of the decay electrons and the emerging 136Ba ion. The collaboration thinks, that the combination of low background counting and single ion detection will allow an essentially background free detection of double beta decay, should it exist. The status of the development of a prototype liquid xenon time projection chamber, utilizing 200 kg of enriched Xe, called EXO-200, and of the ion tagging technology will be discussed. |
| Remarks: | to be broadcasted to Prefab B |
