Investigation of double-beta decay at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow)

Journal Article · Sun Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Physics of Atomic Nuclei

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063778806100024· OSTI ID:21076198

Zeldovich, O Ya; Kirpichnikov, I V ^[1]

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1. Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (Russian Federation)

Investigation of neutrinoless double-beta (2{beta}0{nu}) decay is presently being considered as one of the most important problems in particle physics and cosmology Interest in the problem was quickened by the observation of neutrino oscillations. The results of oscillation experiments determine the mass differences between different neutrino flavors, and the observation of neutrinoless decay may fix the absolute scale and the hierarchy of the neutrino masses. Investigation of 2{beta}0{nu} decay is the most efficient method for solving the problem of whether the neutrino is a Dirae or a Majorana particle, Physicists from the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow) have been participating actively in solving this problem. They initiated and pioneered the application of semiconductor detectors manufactured from enriched germanium to searches for the double-beta decay of {sup 76}Ge. Investigations with {sup 76}Ge provided the most important results. At present, ITEP physicists are taking active part in four very large projects, GERDA. Majorana, EXO, and NEMO, which are capable of recording 2{beta}0{nu} decay at a Majorana neutrino mass of <m{sub {nu}}> {approx} 10{sup -2} eV.

• OSTI ID: 21076198
• Journal Information: Physics of Atomic Nuclei, Journal Name: Physics of Atomic Nuclei Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 69; ISSN 1063-7788; ISSN PANUEO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
COSMOLOGY
DOUBLE BETA DECAY
FLAVOR MODEL
GERMANIUM 76
ITEP SYNCHROTRON
MAJORANA THEORY
MASS
MASS DIFFERENCE
NEUTRINO OSCILLATION
NEUTRINOS
PARTICLE DECAY
PARTICLES
SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS