Year: 2013
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: The neutrinoless double beta (0nubb) 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 0nubb 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 Qbb come from Bi-214, Th-228, K-42, Co-60 and alpha emitting isotopes in the Ra-226 decay chain, with a fraction depending on the assumed source positions.
Source: AIP conference proceedings
DOI: 10.1063/1.4818098
Author: N. Becerici-Schmidt
Institution: Max Planck Institute for Physics
Language: English
Topic: Neutrino Physics Research
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2103648217