First search for double- $ \beta$ decay of platinum by ultra-low background HP Ge $ \gamma$ spectrometry

Abstract

A search for double- $ \beta$ processes in 190Pt and 198Pt was realized with the help of ultra-low background HP Ge 468cm^3 $ \gamma$ spectrometer in the underground Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN (Italy). After 1815 h of data taking with 42.5g platinum sample, T 1/2 limits on 2 $ \beta$ processes in 190Pt ( $ \varepsilon$ $ \beta^{+}_{}$ and 2 $ \varepsilon$ have been established on the level of 1014-1016y, 3 to 4 orders of magnitude higher than those known previously. In particular, a possible resonant double-electron capture in 190Pt was restricted on the level of 2.9×1016 y at 90% C.L. In addition, T 1/2 limit on 2 $ \beta^{-}_{}$ decay of 198Pt (2 $ \nu$ +0 $ \nu$ ) to the 2+ 1 excited level of 198Hg has been set at the first time: T 1/2 > 3.5×1018 y. The radiopurity level of the used platinum sample is reported.