Search for neutrinoless double-electron capture of Dy 156
Background: Multiple large collaborations are currently searching for neutrinoless double-β decay, with the ultimate goal of differentiating the Majorana-Dirac nature of the neutrino. Purpose: Investigate the feasibility of resonant neutrinoless double-electron capture, an experimental alternative to neutrinoless double-β decay. Method: Two clover germanium detectors were operated underground in coincidence to search for the de-excitation γ rays of Gd156 following the neutrinoless double-electron capture of Dy156. 231.95 d of data were collected at the Kimballton underground research facility with a 231.57 mg enriched Dy156 sample. Results: No counts were seen above background and half-life limits are set at O(1016-1018) yr for the various decay modes of Dy156. Conclusion: Low background spectra were efficiently collected in the search for neutrinoless double-electron capture of Dy156, although the low natural abundance and associated lack of large quantities of enriched samples hinders the experimental reach.
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- Nuclear & Particles Physics
- 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics
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Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Related Subject Headings
- Nuclear & Particles Physics
- 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics