# Background free search for neutrinoless double beta decay with GERDA Phase II

## TL;DR

GERDA Phase II achieved unprecedented background suppression in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of germanium-76, setting new limits and demonstrating the potential for a background-free experiment to explore fundamental particle physics questions.

## Contribution

First demonstration of a background-free search for neutrinoless double beta decay using germanium detectors with advanced veto and background recognition techniques.

## Key findings

- Background level of ~10^{-3} cts/(keV·kg·yr) achieved
- No signal detected, setting a lower half-life limit of 5.3×10^{25} years
- Sensitivity of 4.0×10^{25} years comparable to larger experiments

## Abstract

The Standard Model of particle physics cannot explain the dominance of matter over anti-matter in our Universe. In many model extensions this is a very natural consequence of neutrinos being their own anti-particles (Majorana particles) which implies that a lepton number violating radioactive decay named neutrinoless double beta ($0\nu\beta\beta$) decay should exist. The detection of this extremely rare hypothetical process requires utmost suppression of any kind of backgrounds. The GERDA collaboration searches for $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay of $^{76}$Ge ($^{76}\rm{Ge} \rightarrow\,^{76}\rm{Se} + 2e^-$) by operating bare detectors made from germanium with enriched $^{76}$Ge fraction in liquid argon. Here, we report on first data of GERDA Phase II. A background level of $\approx10^{-3}$ cts/(keV$\cdot$kg$\cdot$yr) has been achieved which is the world-best if weighted by the narrow energy-signal region of germanium detectors. Combining Phase I and II data we find no signal and deduce a new lower limit for the half-life of $5.3\cdot10^{25}$ yr at 90 % C.L. Our sensitivity of $4.0\cdot10^{25}$ yr is competitive with the one of experiments with significantly larger isotope mass. GERDA is the first $0\nu\beta\beta$ experiment that will be background-free up to its design exposure. This progress relies on a novel active veto system, the superior germanium detector energy resolution and the improved background recognition of our new detectors. The unique discovery potential of an essentially background-free search for $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay motivates a larger germanium experiment with higher sensitivity.