Calorimeter R&D for the SuperNEMO Double Beta Decay Experiment

TL;DR

SuperNEMO aims to detect neutrinoless double beta decay using advanced calorimetry with high energy resolution, enabling exploration of Majorana neutrino masses down to 50-100 meV.

Contribution

Development of a calorimeter with unprecedented 4% FWHM energy resolution at 3 MeV for the SuperNEMO experiment.

Findings

Achieved target energy resolution of 4% FWHM at 3 MeV

Demonstrated feasibility of high-precision calorimetry for double beta decay

Enhanced sensitivity to Majorana neutrino masses

Abstract

SuperNEMO is a next-generation double beta decay experiment based on the successful tracking plus calorimetry design approach of the NEMO3 experiment currently running in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (LSM). SuperNEMO can study a range of isotopes, the baseline isotopes are 82Se and possibly 150Nd. The total isotope mass will be 100-200 kg. A sensitivity to neutrinoless double beta decay half-life greater than 10e26 years can be reached which gives access to Majorana neutrino masses of 50-100 meV. One of the main challenges of the SuperNEMO R&D is the development of the calorimeter with an unprecedented energy resolution of 4% FWHM at 3 MeV (Qbb value of 82Se).