Solubility, Light Output and Energy Resolution Studies of Molybdenum-Loaded Liquid Scintillators

TL;DR

This study evaluates molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillators for neutrinoless double-beta decay detection, focusing on solubility, light output, and energy resolution to assess their feasibility in low-background experiments.

Contribution

It presents a feasibility analysis of using molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillators for neutrinoless double-beta decay searches with detailed performance evaluations.

Findings

Molybdenum can be effectively dissolved in liquid scintillators.

The scintillators demonstrate promising light output and energy resolution.

The study supports the potential use of these scintillators in low-background neutrino experiments.

Abstract

The search for neutrinoless double-beta decay is an important part of the global neutrino physics program. One double-beta decay isotope currently under investigation is 100Mo. In this article, we discuss the results of a feasibility study investigating the use of molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillator. A large, molybdenum-loaded liquid scintillator detector is one potential design for a low-background, internal-source neutrinoless double-beta decay search with 100Mo. The program outlined in this article included the selection of a solute containing molybdenum, a scintillating solvent and the evaluation of the mixture's performance as a radiation detector.