Luca Pattavina
(INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso)
Scintillating bolometers for the LUCIFER project
Neutrinoless double beta decay (0vDBD) is one of the most sensitive probes for physics beyond the Standard Model, providing unique information on the nature and masses of neutrinos. In order to explore the so-called inverted neutrino mass hierarchy region a further improvement on the upcoming 0vDBD experiment is needed. In this respect, scintillating bolometers are the suitable technology for achieving such goal: they ensure excellent energy resolution and highly efficient particle discrimination.
The LUCIFER project aims at deploying the first array of enriched scintillating bolometers for the investigation of 0vDBD of 82Se. The matrix which embeds the source is an array of Zn82Se crystals, where enriched $^{82}$Se is used as decay isotope. Taking advantage of the large Q-value (2996 keV) and of the particle discrimination, the expected background rate in the region of interest is as low as 10^-3 c/keV/kg/y. The foreseen sensitivity after 5 years of live time will be 6x10^25 years.
The potential of such technology and the present status of the project will be reviewed.