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ORIGIN-X: towards the ultimate 0?ꞵꞵ search using a xenon-based detector

ORAL

Abstract

The search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0?ꞵꞵ) is a compelling experimental search for physics beyond the Standard Model, and, possibly, for the origins of matter in our universe. Ongoing experimental programs will search for this process in O(1) tonne of the isotope of interest, with sensitivity to 0?ꞵꞵ half-lives of O(10^28) years – completely exploring the predicted parameter space if the neutrino mass hierarchy is inverted. However, exploring the majority of the parameter space in the normal hierarchy scenario will require sensitivity to half-lives of O(10^30) years, requiring an experiment which instruments 100's of tonnes of isotope and can achieve lower backgrounds than any existing or currently-planned experiment. Here we introduce ORIGIN-X: a path towards a search for 0?ꞵꞵ with ~10^30 year half-life sensitivity using the isotope Xe-136. This concept takes advantage of the scalability of xenon time projection chambers and the inherent background suppression in monolithic detectors of increasing size. We will discuss estimates of the sensitivity of an experiment with different detector technologies, and key R&D challenges that need to be addressed to realize such a possibility.

Presenters

  • Brian G Lenardo

    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Authors

  • Brian G Lenardo

    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory