Improving Radon Assays for Ultra Sensitive Experiments

nEXO (enriched xenon observatory) aims to detect neutrinoless double beta decay (0??????) in ¹³⁶Xe. These measurements rely on ultra low-backgrounds in the detector. nEXO’s goal is to have only 600 radon atoms in the 5 tonnes of ^enrXe. If nEXO’s current goals are met, after 10 years of running, nEXO will discover 0νββ with 3σ certenty if its half life is less than 5.7 × 1027 years. To accomplish this goal, SLAC is working on a new radon assay system which will provide more precise emanation measurements of each of the detector components to ensure that nEXO’s background requirements are met.