Astroparticle Seminar
Observation of Two-Neutrino Double-Beta Decay in
136Xe: First EXO Results in the Search for the Neutrino-less decay
Jacques A. Farine
Laurentian University
The Enriched Xenon Observatory (EXO) collaboration has observed the
two-neutrino double beta decay of 136Xe with EXO-200, a prototype
to the EXO detector in development. This second order process, predicted
by the Standard Model, has been observed for several nuclei but not for
136Xe. The observed decay rate provides new input to matrix
element calculations and to the search for the more interesting neutrino-less
double-beta decay, the most sensitive probe for the existence of Majorana
particles and the measurement of the neutrino mass scale.
The EXO-200 detector and underground site at WIPP, New Mexico, will be
presented, and the observation of the two-neutrino decay discussed. The
experimental efforts in the filed will be highlighted, with comments on
the calculations of nuclear matrix elements. The development of EXO will
be discussed: a multi-tonne detector with daugther ion identification as a
powerful background suppression tool, with SNOLAB a possible site.
Wednesday, April 4th 2012, 14:30
Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, R.E. Bell Conference Room (room 103)
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