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Bode, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Bode, T..

High-resolution spectroscopy of gaseous 83m Kr conversion electrons with the KATRIN experiment

Abstract In this work, we present the first spectroscopic measurements of conversion electrons originating from the decay of metastable gaseous 83m Kr with the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment. The obtained results represent one of the major commissioning milestones for the subsequent direct neutrino mass measurement with KATRIN. The successful campaign demonstrates the functionalities of the KATRIN beamline. Precise measurement of the narrow K-32, L 3 -32, and N 2,3 -32 conversion electron lines allowed to verify the eV-scale energy resolution of the KATRIN main spectrometer necessary for competitive measurement of the absolute neutrino mass scale.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Design improvements to cables and connectors in the Majorana Demonstrator

The Majorana Demonstrator is an experiment constructed to search for neutrinoless double-beta decays in germanium-76 and to demonstrate the feasibility to deploy a ton-scale experiment in a phased and modular fashion. It consists of two modular arrays of natural and 76 Ge-enriched germanium p-type point contact detectors totaling 44.1 kg, located at the 4850 level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, USA. The Demonstrator uses custom high voltage cables to bias the detectors, as well as custom signal cables and connectors to read out the charge deposited at the point contact of each detector. These low-mass cables and connectors must meet stringent radio purity requirements while being subjected to thermal and mechanical stress. A number of issues have been identified with the currently installed cables and connectors. An improved set of cables and connectors for the Majorana Demonstrator are being developed with the aim of increasing their overall reliability and connectivity. In conclusion, we will discuss some of the issues encountered with the current cables and connectors as well as our improved designs and their initial performance.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Spectral analysis for the M AJORNA D EMONSTRATOR experiment

The M AJORNA D EMONSTRATOR is an experiment constructed to search for neutrinoless double-beta decays in germanium-76 and to demonstrate the feasibility to deploy a ton-scale experiment in a phased and modular fashion. It consists of two modular arrays of natural and 76 Ge-enriched germanium detectors totaling 44.1kg (29.7kg enriched detectors), located at the 4850' level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, USA. Data taken with this setup since summer 2015 at different construction stages of the experiment show a clear reduction of the observed background index around the ROI for 0$νββ$- decay search due to improvements in shielding. We discuss the statistical approaches to search for a 0$νββ$-signal and derive the physics sensitivity for an expected exposure of 10kg y from enriched detectors using a profile likelihood based hypothesis test in combination with toy Monte Carlo data.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Progress Toward A $2νββ$ Measurement For The M AJORNA D EMONSTRATOR

The M AJORNA D EMONSTRATOR is a 76 Ge-based neutrinoless double-beta decay (0 νββ ) experiment. Staged at the 4850 ft level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility, the D EMONSTRATOR operates an array of high-purity p-type point contact Ge detectors deployed within a graded passive shield and an active muon veto system. The present work concerns the two-neutrino double-beta decay mode (2 νββ ) of 76 Ge. For Ge detectors, having superior energy resolution (0.1%), this mode poses negligible background to the 0 νββ mode, even for a ton-scale experiment. However, the measurement of the 2 νββ mode allows for careful systematics checks of active detector mass, enrichment fraction, and pulse shape discrimination cuts related to both the 0 νββ and 2 νββ decay modes. A precision measurement of the 2 νββ shape also allows searches for spectral distortions, possibly indicative of new physics, including 0 νββχ . Work is underway to construct a full experimental background model enabling a Bayesian fit to the measured energy spectrum and extraction of a precise 2 νββ spectrum and half-life.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Recent results from the Majorana Demonstrator

The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is an experiment constructed to search for Neutrinoless double-beta decay in 76Ge and to demonstrate the feasibility to deploy a large-scale experiment in a phased and modular fashion. It consists of two modular arrays of natural and 76Ge-enriched germanium detectors totalling 44.1 kg, operating on the 4850’ level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, USA. Data acquisition in the commissioning phase began in June 2015, followed by data acquisition with the full detector array in August 2016. The ultralow background and record energy resolution achieved by the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR enable a sensitive neutrinoless double-beta decay search, as well as additional searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. I will discuss the design elements that enable these searches, along with our latest results, focusing on the neutrinoless double-beta decay search. I will also discuss the current status and the future plans of the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, as well as the plans for a future tonne-scale 76Ge experiment.

Myslik, Jordan W.↗