Neutrinoless double Beta decay and the use of pixelated Cadmium Zinc Telluride detectors to observe it.

Thomas R. Bloxham
(Birmingham- UK)

Abstract:

Evidence continues to mount that not only does the neutrino have a mass, but that the exact value of that mass will best be calculated through the observation of neutrinoless double beta decay. Such an observation has enormous implications for the future of the Standard Model.

The COBRA collaboration intends to use a large mass of Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) detectors to observe this incredibly rare decay. Results and simulations of the use of pixelated CZT detectors are described, primarily focusing on their ability to achieve significant background reduction in the energy region of interest. There will also be a discussion of depth senstivity and resolution improvement from such a detector.