The {\sc Majorana Demonstrator} Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiment

TL;DR

The { extsc{Majorana Demonstrator}} aims to detect neutrinoless double-beta decay in germanium-76, which would reveal fundamental properties of neutrinos and physics beyond the Standard Model.

Contribution

This paper details the design, construction, and scientific goals of the { extsc{Majorana Demonstrator}}, a novel experiment for searching neutrinoless double-beta decay.

Findings

Design of a low-background germanium detector array

Implementation of shielding and background reduction techniques

Expected sensitivity to neutrinoless double-beta decay

Abstract

The {\sc Majorana Demonstrator will search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of the isotope Ge-76 with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. The observation of this rare decay would indicate the neutrino is its own antiparticle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass scale of the neutrino. The {\sc Demonstrator} is being assembled at the 4850-foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. The array will be situated in a low-background environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. Here we describe the science goals of the {\sc Demonstrator} and the details of its design.