A next-generation neutrinoless double beta decay experiment based on ZnMoO4 scintillating bolometers

• Published in: Physics letters. B Vol. 710; no. 2; pp. 318 - 323
• Main Authors: Beeman, J.W., Danevich, F.A., Degoda, V.Ya, Galashov, E.N., Giuliani, A., Kobychev, V.V., Mancuso, M., Marnieros, S., Nones, C., Olivieri, E., Pessina, G., Rusconi, C., Shlegel, V.N., Tretyak, V.I., Vasiliev, Ya.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 04-04-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bolometers; Bolometrique technique; Conservation; Decay; Double beta decay; Elementary particles; Hierarchies; High Energy Physics - Experiment; Instrumentation and Detectors; Low background; Neutrino mass; Neutrinos; Physics; Pilots; Scintillation; Searching; Low background; Scintillation; Double beta decay; Bolometrique technique; Neutrino mass
• ISSN: 0370-2693; 1873-2445
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2012.03.009

The search for neutrinoless double β decay probes lepton number conservation with high sensitivity and investigates the neutrino nature and mass scale. Experiments presently in preparation will cover the quasi-degeneracy region of the neutrino mass pattern. Probing the inverted hierarchy region requires improved sensitivities and next-generation experiments, based either on large expansions of the present searches or on new ideas. We examine here a novel technology relying on ZnMoO4 scintillating bolometers, which can provide an experiment with background close to zero in the ton × year exposure scale. The promising performance of a pilot detector is presented, both in terms of energy resolution and background control. A preliminary study of the sensitivities of future experiments shows that the inverted hierarchy region is within the reach of the technique here proposed. A realistic phased approach program towards a next-generation search is presented and briefly discussed.