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Title: Background modeling for the GERDA experiment

Abstract

The neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay experiment GERDA at the LNGS of INFN has started physics data taking in November 2011. This paper presents an analysis aimed at understanding and modeling the observed background energy spectrum, which plays an essential role in searches for a rare signal like 0νββ decay. A very promising preliminary model has been obtained, with the systematic uncertainties still under study. Important information can be deduced from the model such as the expected background and its decomposition in the signal region. According to the model the main background contributions around Q{sub ββ} come from {sup 214}Bi, {sup 228}Th, {sup 42}K, {sup 60}Co and α emitting isotopes in the {sup 226}Ra decay chain, with a fraction depending on the assumed source positions.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Physik, München (Germany)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22218170
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
AIP Conference Proceedings
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 1549; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: LRT 2013: 4. international workshop on low radioactivity techniques, Assergi (Italy), 10-12 Apr 2013; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0094-243X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; ALPHA DECAY; BISMUTH 214; COBALT 60; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; DOUBLE BETA DECAY; ENERGY SPECTRA; MASS NUMBER; MULTIPARTICLE SPECTROMETERS; PARTICLE IDENTIFICATION; POTASSIUM 42; RADIUM 226; THORIUM 228

Citation Formats

Becerici-Schmidt, N., and Collaboration: GERDA Collaboration. Background modeling for the GERDA experiment. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.1063/1.4818098.
Becerici-Schmidt, N., & Collaboration: GERDA Collaboration. Background modeling for the GERDA experiment. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4818098
Becerici-Schmidt, N., and Collaboration: GERDA Collaboration. 2013. "Background modeling for the GERDA experiment". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4818098.
@article{osti_22218170,
title = {Background modeling for the GERDA experiment},
author = {Becerici-Schmidt, N. and Collaboration: GERDA Collaboration},
abstractNote = {The neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay experiment GERDA at the LNGS of INFN has started physics data taking in November 2011. This paper presents an analysis aimed at understanding and modeling the observed background energy spectrum, which plays an essential role in searches for a rare signal like 0νββ decay. A very promising preliminary model has been obtained, with the systematic uncertainties still under study. Important information can be deduced from the model such as the expected background and its decomposition in the signal region. According to the model the main background contributions around Q{sub ββ} come from {sup 214}Bi, {sup 228}Th, {sup 42}K, {sup 60}Co and α emitting isotopes in the {sup 226}Ra decay chain, with a fraction depending on the assumed source positions.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4818098},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22218170}, journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings},
issn = {0094-243X},
number = 1,
volume = 1549,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Thu Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}