0000000000340971
AUTHOR
J Suhonen
Improved calculations of β decay backgrounds to new physics in liquid xenon detectors
We present high-precision theoretical predictions for the electron energy spectra for the ground-state to ground-state β decays of 214Pb, 212Pb, and 85Kr most relevant to the background of liquid xenon dark matter detectors. The effects of nuclear structure on the spectral shapes are taken into account using large-scale shell-model calculations. Final spectra also include atomic screening and exchange effects. The impact of nuclear structure effects on the 214Pb and 212Pb spectra below ≈100 keV, pertinent for several searches for new physics, are found to be comparatively larger than those from the atomic effects alone. We find that the full calculation for 214Pb (212Pb) predicts 15.0%–23.2…
Nuclear and weak interaction aspects of neutrinoless double beta decay: Recent results
The determination of the value of the light neutrino mass, as well as the determination of the nature of the neutrino, are two of the fundamental questions which motivate the experimental search of signals of neutrinoless double beta decay transitions. Here, we shall review some of the the essentials of the theory, based on both nuclear structure and elementary particle physics, relevant for the understanding of the problem.
Neutrino mass, neutrinoless double electron capture and rare beta decays
We present results of our theoretical calculations on three nuclei of interest from the neutrino-physics point of view: Firstly, we present the second-forbidden decay branch of 115In with the ultra-low Q value and theoretical open questions related to such decays. Secondly, we have calculated estimates for the half-lives of the single-beta decay channels of 96Zr and concluded that the possible contamination from those to the geochemical measurements of 96Zr double-beta-decay half-life is rather small. Thirdly, we have taken a look at the neutrinoless resonance double-electron-capture decay of 112Sn in the light of recent JYFLTRAP Q value measurements and discovered that the badly fulfilled …
Collective 2(1)(+) excitations in Po-206 and Rn-208,Rn-210
In the present study, values have been measured in the 208,210Rn and 206Po nuclei through Coulomb excitation of re-accelerated radioactive beams in inverse kinematics at CERN-ISOLDE. These nuclei have been proposed to lie in, or at the boundary of the region where the seniority scheme should persist. However, contributions from collective excitations are likely to be present when moving away from the N=126 closed shell. Such an effect is confirmed by the observed increased collectivity of the transitions. Experimental results have been interpreted with the aid of theoretical studies carried out within the BCS-based QRPA framework. ispartof: European Physical Journal A, Hadrons and Nuclei vo…