Abstract
The goal of the NEXT collaboration is the sensitive search of the neutrino-less double beta decay ([Formula: see text]) of [Formula: see text]Xe at the LSC. After a successful R&D phase, a first large-scale prototype of a high-pressure gas-Xenon electroluminescent TPC (NEW) is being operated at LSC since 2016. NEW is a 10-kg radiopure detector meant to understand the relevant backgrounds for the [Formula: see text]search and to perform a measurement of the two neutrino mode of the double beta decay ([Formula: see text]). The first phase of the NEW physics program comprises the commissioning of the detector and the data taking with calibration sources. This phase has allowed to understand the detector capabilities in terms of energy resolution and event topology reconstruction. The operation of NEW is setting the grounds for the construction of the NEXT-100 detector: a TPC holding 100 kg of [Formula: see text]Xe and reaching a sensitivity to the [Formula: see text]half-life of [Formula: see text] y after 3 years of data taking. The latest results of the NEW detector as well as the status of the NEXT-100 project are presented.
Highlights
Searching for the ββ0ν decay In the search for the ββ0ν process, the different experimental approaches need to be designed upon three main building blocks: 1) a good energy resolution to suppress the backgrounds from the ββ2ν decay and the natural radioactivity, 2) good extra handles to reduce the ββlike events coming from the natural radioactivity, and 3) a scalable detector technology so larger fiducial masses are feasible in case no ββ0ν is observed
In case the ββ0ν decay is not detected, the generation of experiments will aim at sensitivities of mν ∼20
The (Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC 1) collaboration finds an optimal compromise of the above three requirements by using a gas 136Xe TPC, operating at high pressure (10-15 bar). 136Xe is known to be a suitable isotope for the ββ0ν search
Summary
These results extrapolate to ∼0.5% FWHM at the Qββ of 136Xe. The NEXT-DEMO detector, built and operated at IFIC, is a larger scale prototype (30 cm drift length) meant to demonstrate the tracking capabilities. In a high-pressure xenon TPC, the ββ events have a distinctive topological signature: a continuous track ending in two larger energy depositions (blobs) corresponding to the Bragg-like peaks when the electrons stop.
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