2011/12/17 by Danevich, F. A.
#FOS: Physical sciences #Nuclear Experiment (nucl-ex)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1112.4067
Results of several double beta decay experiments, performed with the help of low background crystal scintillators, are presented. In particular, the half-life value of the two-neutrino double beta decay of 116-Cd has been measured as 2.9 1019 yr, and the new half-life limit on the neutrinoless double beta decay of 116-Cd has been established as >1.7 1023 yr at 90%, which corresponds to a restriction on the neutrino mass <1.7 eV. New half-life bounds on the level of 1017-1021 yr were set for double beta processes in 64-Zn, 70-Zn, 106-Cd, 108-Cd, 114-Cd, 136-Ce, 138-Ce, 142-Ce, 160-Gd, 180-W, and 186-W by using low-background CdWO4, GSO, and ZnWO4 crystal scintillators. The claim of discovery of the neutrinoless double beta decay of 76-Ge [Mod. Phys. Lett. A 16 (2001) 2409] was analyzed. The demands of the future high sensitivity double beta decay experiments, aiming to observe the neutrinoless double beta decay or to advance restrictions on the neutrino mass to < 0.01 eV, were considered. Requirements for their sensitivity and discovery potential were formulated. Two projects of double beta experiments with a sensitivity on the level of 1026-1027 yr (CAMEO and CARVEL projects) were discussed. Scintillation properties and radioactive contamination of CaWO4, ZnWO4, CdWO4, PbWO4, GSO(Ce), CeF3, yttrium-aluminum garnet doped with neodymium (YAG:Nd) crystal scintillators were studied. Applicability of these scintillators to search for double beta decay was discussed.