Related Experiment Videos
Determination of the (76)Ge double beta decay Q value
G Douysset1, T Fritioff, C Carlberg
1Atomic Physics, Stockholm University, Frescativägen 24, S-10405 Stockholm, Sweden.
Physical Review Letters
|May 1, 2001
Summary
The Q value for Germanium-76 (Ge-76) double beta decay was precisely measured using a Penning trap, yielding a Q value of 2039.006(50) keV. This result improves the accepted value
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Atomic Physics
Background:
- The Q value of double beta decay is crucial for nuclear structure studies and searches for new physics.
- Previous measurements of the Germanium-76 (Ge-76) Q value had limitations in accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the Q value of the Ge-76 double beta decay with significantly improved accuracy.
- To reduce systematic uncertainties in the Q value determination.
Main Methods:
- Precise mass measurements of Germanium-76 (Ge-76) and Selenium-76 (Se-76) isotopes using a Penning trap.
- Utilizing neon- and fluorinelike ions for high-precision mass determination.
Main Results:
- The masses of Ge-76 and Se-76 were determined to be 75.921 402 758(96) u and 75.919 213 795(81) u, respectively.
- A Q value of 2 039.006(50) keV was obtained.
- The accuracy of the accepted Q value was improved by a factor of 6.
Conclusions:
- The precise Q value determination provides a more accurate input for theoretical nuclear models.
- The reduced uncertainty in the Q value enhances the sensitivity of experiments searching for neutrinoless double beta decay.