The HOLMES project aims to directly measure the nu mass down to the eV scale using the electron capture decay (EC) of Ho-163. It will perform a precise calorimetric measurement of the end-point of the Ho energy spectrum looking for the deformation caused by a finite nu mass. The choice of Ho-163 as source is driven by the very low Q-value of the EC reaction, which allows for high sensitivity with low activities (O(10(2))Bq/detector), thus reducing the pile-up probability. A large array made by thousands of transition edge sensors based micro-calorimeters will be used. The calorimetric approach eliminates systematic uncertainties arising from the use of an external beta source, and minimizes the effect of the atomic de-excitation process. The commissioning of the first implanted sub-array is scheduled for the end of 2018. It will provide useful data about the EC decay of Ho-163 together with a first limit on nu mass.
Probing the absolute neutrino mass scale with 163Ho: The HOLMES project
Puiu A.;
2019-01-01
Abstract
The HOLMES project aims to directly measure the nu mass down to the eV scale using the electron capture decay (EC) of Ho-163. It will perform a precise calorimetric measurement of the end-point of the Ho energy spectrum looking for the deformation caused by a finite nu mass. The choice of Ho-163 as source is driven by the very low Q-value of the EC reaction, which allows for high sensitivity with low activities (O(10(2))Bq/detector), thus reducing the pile-up probability. A large array made by thousands of transition edge sensors based micro-calorimeters will be used. The calorimetric approach eliminates systematic uncertainties arising from the use of an external beta source, and minimizes the effect of the atomic de-excitation process. The commissioning of the first implanted sub-array is scheduled for the end of 2018. It will provide useful data about the EC decay of Ho-163 together with a first limit on nu mass.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
