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Timepix background studies for double beta decay experiments

Author
Jose J.M. IEAP
Čermák Pavel, Ing. PhD. Insitute of Experimental and Applied Physics CTU
Rukhadze N.I. JINR
Brudanin V.B. JINR
Štekl Ivan, Doc. Ing. CSc. IEAP
Čermák Jakub IEAP
Shitov Yu.A. JINR/Imperial College
Rukhadze Ekaterina IEAP
et al.  different institutions

Year
2011

Scientific journal
JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION 6, 11030


Abstract
The double beta decay (beta beta) is very challenging subject of today's physics. It can be used as a powerful tool to test neutrino properties (e. g. Dirac or Majorana type of neutrino) and lepton number conservation. However, these experiments demand very high sensitivity and very strong background reduction. We have been performing intensive R&D towards the use of pixel detector Timepix in the beta beta decay experiments. The Timepix device, operated in Time Over Threshold (TOT) mode, provides spectroscopic capabilities in each individual pixel. The main advantage of such detector is its ability to identify and reject background signals (e. g. tracks made by electrons, alpha particles, muons). It would efficiently recognize the signal of beta beta decay processes. Two pixel detectors, Si (pixel size 55 x 55 mu m(2)) and CdTe (pixel size 110 x 110 mu m(2)), were tested in the surface laboratory as well as in the underground laboratories, from the point of view of intrinsic background and the results are presented. Low background materials for construction of the setup were also identified. The first prototype of Silicon Pixel Telescope (SPT) has been tested and future improvements are also presented.

Cite article as:
J. Jose, P. Čermák, N. Rukhadze, V. Brudanin, I. Štekl, J. Čermák, Y. Shitov, E. Rukhadze, . et al., "Timepix background studies for double beta decay experiments", JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION 6, 11030 (2011)