Solar neutrino-electron scattering as background limitation for double beta decay

• Main Authors: de Barros, N. F, Zuber, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 16-09-2011
• Subjects: Physics - High Energy Physics - Phenomenology; Physics - Nuclear Experiment
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1103.5757

J.Phys.G38:105201,2011 The background on double beta decay searches due to elastic electron
scattering of solar neutrinos of all double beta emitters with Q-value larger
than 2 MeV is calculated, taking into account survival probability and flux
uncertainties of solar neutrinos. This work determines the background level to
be [1-2]E-7 counts /keV/kg/yr, depending on the precise Q-value of the double
beta emitter. It is also shown that the background level increases dramatically
if going to lower Q-values. Furthermore, studies are done for various detector
systems under consideration for next generation experiments. It was found that
experiments based on loaded liquid scintillator have to expect a higher
background. Within the given nuclear matrix element uncertainties any approach
exploring the normal hierarchy has to face this irreducible background, which
is a limitation on the minimal achievable background for purely calorimetric
approaches. Large scale liquid scintillator experiments might encounter this
problem already while exploring the inverted hierarchy. Potential caveats by
using more sophisticated experimental setups are also discussed.