Observed neutrino flavor oscillation manifests, neutrino possess non-zero mass, this leads to the first indication of physics beyond standard model. LEGEND experiment uses 200 kg of 76Ge for the search of rare nuclear transition, 76Ge → 76Se + e− + e−, a neutrinoless double beta decay process and this would establish the Majorana nature of neutrino and determination of absolute neutrino mass.

Neutrino are the most abundant matter particle in the universe. The three active neutrino flavors (νe, νμ, ντ) are weakly interacting neutral fermions. The nature of neutrino, Dirac (ν ≠ ν) or Majorana (ν = ν) are still not clear. Search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) would then establish that neutrinos are Majorana in nature. 0νββ is a second order weak process in which, two neutrons simultaneously transform into two protons with the emission of two electrons in the final state as,(A, Z ) → (A, Z + 2) + e− + e−. This violates lepton number conservation by 2 units. Mass of the Majorana neutrino (m ) can be determined by measuring T 0ν .

Brief Introduction to my research - poster

Presented at Low Radioacitivtity Techniques Workshop VIII, 2022, South Dakota Mines

Detailed description of my research -proceeding  

Abstract -  Neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay is the most compelling approach to determine the Majorana nature of neutrino and measure effective Majorana neutrino mass. The LEGEND collaboration is aiming to look for 0νββ decay of 76Ge with unprecedented sensitivity. If underground-sourced argon is not available, the cosmogenically-induced isotope 42Ar and its decay progeny 42K in the liquid argon active veto could create a challenging background for the 0νββ signal. We are studying methodologies to mitigate the 42K background. In order to achieve this, encapsulation of germanium detectors with 3D-printed technologies using low background material are currently under investigation. Simulation results of Poly(ethylene 2,6- naphthalate) (PEN) encapsulation of germanium detectors and plans to study other potential materials are presented.

The Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless ββ Decay

LEGEND-100 Preconceptual Design Report