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The main objective of the present work was to assess the gamma radiation shielding competencies and gamma radiation transmission factors (TFs) for some tellurite glasses in the form of Bi2O3–TeO2–Na2O–TiO2–ZnO. MCNPX general-purpose Monte Carlo code (version 2.6.0) was utilized for the determination of TF values at various well-known radioisotope energies for different glass thicknesses from 0.5 cm to 3 cm. Moreover, some important gamma ray shielding properties were also determined in the 0.015–15 MeV energy range. The results show that glass densities were improved from 5.401 g/cm3 to 6.138 g·cm3 as a function of Bi2O3 increment in the glass composition. A S5 glass sample with the maximum Bi2O3 additive was reported with superior gamma ray shielding properties among the studied glasses. It can be concluded that Bi2O3 can be used as a functional tool in terms of improving glass density and, accordingly, gamma ray shielding attenuation properties of tellurite glasses, where the role Bi2O3 is also critical for other material properties, such as structural, optical, and mechanical. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

The radiation shielding characteristics of samples from two TeO2 and Sb2O3-based basic glass groups were investigated in this research. TeO2 and Sb2O3-based glasses were determined in the research as six samples with a composition of 10WO3-(x)MoO3-(90 − x)(TeO2/Sb2O3) (x = 10, 20, 30). A general purpose MCNPX Monte Carlo code and Phy-X/PSD platform were used to estimate the radiation shielding characteristics. Accordingly, the linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half value layer, mean free path, variation of the effective atomic number with photon energy, exposure and built-up energy factors, and effective removal cross-section values were determined. It was determined that the results that were produced using the two different techniques were consistent. Based on the collected data, the most remarkable findings were found to be associated with the sample classified as T80 (10WO3 + 10MoO3 + 80TeO2). The current study showed that material density was as equally important as composition in modifying radiation shielding characteristics. With the T80 sample with the greatest density (5.61 g/cm3) achieving the best results. Additionally, the acquired findings were compared to the radiation shielding characteristics of various glass and concrete materials. Increasing the quantity of MoO3 additive, a known heavy metal oxide, in these TeO2 and Sb2O3-based glasses may have a detrimental impact on the change in radiation shielding characteristics. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100–1400 °C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 °C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Sintering of pure cordierite 2MgO:2Al(2)O(3):5SiO(2), and cordierite with the addition of 5 mass % TeO2 was studied. Green bodies were prepared from powder mixtures mechanically activated in a high-energy planetary mill, shaped by uniaxial (20 MPa) and cold isostatic pressing (1000 MPa). The pressure-less sintering of these specimens was performed at 1350 degrees C for 1 h. High relative density over 95% of the theoretical value was obtained through solid-state reaction and pressure-less sintering of powder activated for 40 min, and for the first time reported in the literature. Phase composition and microstructures of sintered samples were determined by XRD and SEM, coupled with EDS mapping. The real part of the complex relative permittivity of the samples was measured at 200 MHz. The loss tangent of all samples was below the resolution of the measurement setup. A strong correlation between the relative permittivity and the density agrees with previously published data.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100–1400 °C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 °C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Sintering of pure cordierite 2MgO:2Al2O3:5SiO2, and cordierite with the addition of 5 mass % TeO2 was studied. Green bodies were prepared from powder mixtures mechanically activated in a high-energy planetary mill, shaped by uniaxial (20 MPa) and cold isostatic pressing (1000 MPa). The pressure-less sintering of these specimens was performed at 1350°C for 1 h. High relative density over 95% of the theoretical value was obtained through solid-state reaction and pressure-less sintering of powder activated for 40 min, and for the first time reported in the literature. Phase composition and microstructures of sintered samples were determined by XRD and SEM, coupled with EDS mapping. The real part of the complex relative permittivity of the samples was measured at 200 MHz. The loss tangent of all samples was below the resolution of the measurement setup. A strong correlation between the relative permittivity and the density agrees with previously published data.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100–1400 °C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 °C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100–1400 °C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 °C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100-1400 degrees C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 degrees C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Sintering of pure cordierite 2MgO:2Al(2)O(3):5SiO(2), and cordierite with the addition of 5 mass % TeO2 was studied. Green bodies were prepared from powder mixtures mechanically activated in a high-energy planetary mill, shaped by uniaxial (20 MPa) and cold isostatic pressing (1000 MPa). The pressure-less sintering of these specimens was performed at 1350 degrees C for 1 h. High relative density over 95% of the theoretical value was obtained through solid-state reaction and pressure-less sintering of powder activated for 40 min, and for the first time reported in the literature. Phase composition and microstructures of sintered samples were determined by XRD and SEM, coupled with EDS mapping. The real part of the complex relative permittivity of the samples was measured at 200 MHz. The loss tangent of all samples was below the resolution of the measurement setup. A strong correlation between the relative permittivity and the density agrees with previously published data.

Sintering of pure cordierite 2MgO:2Al(2)O(3):5SiO(2), and cordierite with the addition of 5 mass % TeO2 was studied. Green bodies were prepared from powder mixtures mechanically activated in a high-energy planetary mill, shaped by uniaxial (20 MPa) and cold isostatic pressing (1000 MPa). The pressure-less sintering of these specimens was performed at 1350 degrees C for 1 h. High relative density over 95% of the theoretical value was obtained through solid-state reaction and pressure-less sintering of powder activated for 40 min, and for the first time reported in the literature. Phase composition and microstructures of sintered samples were determined by XRD and SEM, coupled with EDS mapping. The real part of the complex relative permittivity of the samples was measured at 200 MHz. The loss tangent of all samples was below the resolution of the measurement setup. A strong correlation between the relative permittivity and the density agrees with previously published data.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100–1400 °C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 °C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100–1400 °C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 °C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Sintering of pure cordierite 2MgO:2Al2O3:5SiO2, and cordierite with the addition of 5 mass % TeO2 was studied. Green bodies were prepared from powder mixtures mechanically activated in a high-energy planetary mill, shaped by uniaxial (20 MPa) and cold isostatic pressing (1000 MPa). The pressure-less sintering of these specimens was performed at 1350°C for 1 h. High relative density over 95% of the theoretical value was obtained through solid-state reaction and pressure-less sintering of powder activated for 40 min, and for the first time reported in the literature. Phase composition and microstructures of sintered samples were determined by XRD and SEM, coupled with EDS mapping. The real part of the complex relative permittivity of the samples was measured at 200 MHz. The loss tangent of all samples was below the resolution of the measurement setup. A strong correlation between the relative permittivity and the density agrees with previously published data.

Thermally activated processes in cordierite-based ceramics were investigated to determine the effect of the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these processes. Using a combination of dilatometry and DTA measurements in the 100–1400 °C temperature range, it was established that both the mechanical activation and the addition of TeO2 have a significant effect on processes in cordierite-based ceramics. A combination of 5 mass% addition of TeO2 and mechanical activation for 40 min reduced the sintering temperature of cordierite ceramics to around 1100 °C. In addition, the analysis of DTA measurements of mechanically activated samples indicates that the mechanical activation leads to intensification of the cordierite formation through an increase in concentration of surface defects and an increase in grain contact surface in the initial powder.

Sintering of pure cordierite 2MgO:2Al(2)O(3):5SiO(2), and cordierite with the addition of 5 mass % TeO2 was studied. Green bodies were prepared from powder mixtures mechanically activated in a high-energy planetary mill, shaped by uniaxial (20 MPa) and cold isostatic pressing (1000 MPa). The pressure-less sintering of these specimens was performed at 1350 degrees C for 1 h. High relative density over 95% of the theoretical value was obtained through solid-state reaction and pressure-less sintering of powder activated for 40 min, and for the first time reported in the literature. Phase composition and microstructures of sintered samples were determined by XRD and SEM, coupled with EDS mapping. The real part of the complex relative permittivity of the samples was measured at 200 MHz. The loss tangent of all samples was below the resolution of the measurement setup. A strong correlation between the relative permittivity and the density agrees with previously published data.

The effect of adding TeO2 into (100-x)[0.5Ag2O−0.1B2O3−0.4P2O5]−xTeO2 glasses, with 0−80 mol% TeO2, on the structural changes and electrical properties has been investigated. The structure was studied by Raman spectroscopy and electrical properties have been studied over a wide temperature and frequency range by impedance spectroscopy. The addition of the third glass former, TeO2, to the glass network causes the structural transformation from TeO3 (tp) to TeO4 (tbp) which contributes to the changes in conductivity. The glasses with low TeO2 content show only a slow decrease in dc conductivity with addition of TeO2 due to the increase of the number of nonbridging oxygens, which increases the mobility of Ag+ ions. The steep decrease in conductivity for glasses containing more than 40 mol% TeO2 is a result of decrease of the Ag2O content and stronger cross-linkage in glass network through the formation of more Te-eqOax-Te bonds in TeO4 tbp units. The glasses obey scaling of the ac conductivity with respect to temperature indicating that the dynamic process is independent of temperature. However, the scaling of the spectra for different glasses revealed deviations from the Summerfield scaling due to the local structural disorder caused by structural transition in tellurite glass network., V rámci práce byl studován vliv přídavku TeO2 na strukturu a vlastnosti stříbrných borofosforečnanových skel připravených v kompoziční řadě (100- [0.5Ag2O− 0.1B2O3− 0.4P2O5]−xTeO2 s obsahem 0-80 mol% TeO2.

Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20•10-7 ºC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no added additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a high-energy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20•10-7 ºC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no added additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a high-energy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

Ova istraživanja posvećena su uticaju mehaničke aktivacije na strukturu kordijeritne smeše 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2. Praćena su i testirana dva paralelna sistema, jedan bez, i drugi u prisustvu 5 masenih % TeO2 kao aditiva. Mehanička aktivacija prahova vršena je u visoko energetskom mlinu sa kuglama u vremenskom intervalu od 0 do 40 minuta. Tokom aktivacije došlo je do reakcije polaznih komponenti u čvrstoj fazi, pri čemu su nastala intermedijarna jedinjenja. Metoda rendgenske difrakcije je korišćena radi identifikacije faznog sastava tokom reakcije, dok su SEM i PSA metode korišćene za praćenje promene morfologije mehanički tretiranih prahova. Cilj aktivacije polaznih prahova je sniženje temperature i mogućnost da se skrati vreme trajanja procesa sinterovanja u postupku dobijanja krajnjeg proizvoda., Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20·10-7 oC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a highenergy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

Ova istraživanja posvećena su uticaju mehaničke aktivacije na strukturu kordijeritne smeše 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2. Praćena su i testirana dva paralelna sistema, jedan bez, i drugi u prisustvu 5 masenih % TeO2 kao aditiva. Mehanička aktivacija prahova vršena je u visoko energetskom mlinu sa kuglama u vremenskom intervalu od 0 do 40 minuta. Tokom aktivacije došlo je do reakcije polaznih komponenti u čvrstoj fazi, pri čemu su nastala intermedijarna jedinjenja. Metoda rendgenske difrakcije je korišćena radi identifikacije faznog sastava tokom reakcije, dok su SEM i PSA metode korišćene za praćenje promene morfologije mehanički tretiranih prahova. Cilj aktivacije polaznih prahova je sniženje temperature i mogućnost da se skrati vreme trajanja procesa sinterovanja u postupku dobijanja krajnjeg proizvoda., Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20·10-7 oC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a highenergy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

Ova istraživanja posvećena su uticaju mehaničke aktivacije na strukturu kordijeritne smeše 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2. Praćena su i testirana dva paralelna sistema, jedan bez, i drugi u prisustvu 5 masenih % TeO2 kao aditiva. Mehanička aktivacija prahova vršena je u visoko energetskom mlinu sa kuglama u vremenskom intervalu od 0 do 40 minuta. Tokom aktivacije došlo je do reakcije polaznih komponenti u čvrstoj fazi, pri čemu su nastala intermedijarna jedinjenja. Metoda rendgenske difrakcije je korišćena radi identifikacije faznog sastava tokom reakcije, dok su SEM i PSA metode korišćene za praćenje promene morfologije mehanički tretiranih prahova. Cilj aktivacije polaznih prahova je sniženje temperature i mogućnost da se skrati vreme trajanja procesa sinterovanja u postupku dobijanja krajnjeg proizvoda., Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20·10-7 oC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a highenergy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20•10-7 ºC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no added additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a high-energy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20•10-7 ºC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no added additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a high-energy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

Cordierite 2MgO+2Al2O3+5SiO2 is frequently used ceramic material, that is commonly used as a carrier of electrical components due to its low dielectric constant (~ 5), and low temperature thermal expansion coefficient (20•10-7 ºC-1). In order to accelerate the process of sintering, 5.00 mass% TeO2 was added to the starting mixtures. System was tested in two parallel mixtures, one with no added additives, and the other one with TeO2. The mechanical activation of the both mixtures was performed in a high-energy ball mill in time intervals from 0 to 40 min with ball to powder mass ratio 1:40. The particle size analysis (PSA) was employed in order to determine the changes in the particle size of the mechanically treated powders. The phase composition of the starting powders as well as microstructures was analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction method and SEM.

This thesis describes the design, operation and results of anexperimental search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0$\nu\beta\beta$) of$^{130}$Te using the CUORE-0 detector.The discovery of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ would have profound implications for particlephysics and our understanding of the Universe. Its discovery woulddemonstrate the violation of lepton number and imply that neutrinosare Majorana fermions and therefore their own anti-particles. Combinedwith other experimental results, the discovery of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ could alsohave implications for understanding the absolute neutrino mass scaleas well as the presently unknown neutrino mass hierarchy.The CUORE experiment is a ton-scale search for 0$\nu\beta\beta$ in $^{130}$Teexpected to begin operation in late 2015. The first stage ofthis experiment is a smaller 39-kg active-mass detector called CUORE-0. Thisdetector contains 11~kg of $^{130}$Te and operates in the LaboratoriNazionali del Gran Sasso lab in Italy from 2013 -- 2015.The results presented here are based on a $^\text{nat}$TeO$_2$exposure of 35.2~kg$\cdot$yr, or 9.8~kg$\cdot$yr exposure of $^{130}$Te collectedbetween 2013 -- 2015. We see no evidence of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ and place anupper limit on the 0$\nu\beta\beta$ decay rate of$\Gamma_{0\nu\beta\beta}<0.25\times10^{-24}$~yr$^{-1}$ (90\% C.L.),corresponding to a lower limit on the half-life of$T^{0\nu}_{1/2}>2.8\times10^{24}$~yr (90\% C.L.).We combine the present result with the results of previous searches in$^{130}$Te. Combining it with the 1.2~kg$\cdot$yr $^{130}$Te exposure from theThree Towers Test run we place a half-life limit of$T_{1/2}^{0\nu}>3.3\times10^{24}$~yr (90\% C.L.). And combining theseresults with the 19.75~kg$\cdot$yr $^{130}$Te exposure from CUORE-0ino, we placethe strongest limit on the 0$\nu\beta\beta$ half-life of $^{130}$Te to date, at$T^{0\nu}_{1/2}>4.5\times10^{24}$~yr (90\% C.L.). Using the presentnuclear matrix element calculations for $^{130}$Te, this resultcorr

This thesis describes the design, operation and results of anexperimental search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0$\nu\beta\beta$) of$^{130}$Te using the CUORE-0 detector.The discovery of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ would have profound implications for particlephysics and our understanding of the Universe. Its discovery woulddemonstrate the violation of lepton number and imply that neutrinosare Majorana fermions and therefore their own anti-particles. Combinedwith other experimental results, the discovery of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ could alsohave implications for understanding the absolute neutrino mass scaleas well as the presently unknown neutrino mass hierarchy.The CUORE experiment is a ton-scale search for 0$\nu\beta\beta$ in $^{130}$Teexpected to begin operation in late 2015. The first stage ofthis experiment is a smaller 39-kg active-mass detector called CUORE-0. Thisdetector contains 11~kg of $^{130}$Te and operates in the LaboratoriNazionali del Gran Sasso lab in Italy from 2013 -- 2015.The results presented here are based on a $^\text{nat}$TeO$_2$exposure of 35.2~kg$\cdot$yr, or 9.8~kg$\cdot$yr exposure of $^{130}$Te collectedbetween 2013 -- 2015. We see no evidence of 0$\nu\beta\beta$ and place anupper limit on the 0$\nu\beta\beta$ decay rate of$\Gamma_{0\nu\beta\beta}<0.25\times10^{-24}$~yr$^{-1}$ (90\% C.L.),corresponding to a lower limit on the half-life of$T^{0\nu}_{1/2}>2.8\times10^{24}$~yr (90\% C.L.).We combine the present result with the results of previous searches in$^{130}$Te. Combining it with the 1.2~kg$\cdot$yr $^{130}$Te exposure from theThree Towers Test run we place a half-life limit of$T_{1/2}^{0\nu}>3.3\times10^{24}$~yr (90\% C.L.). And combining theseresults with the 19.75~kg$\cdot$yr $^{130}$Te exposure from CUORE-0ino, we placethe strongest limit on the 0$\nu\beta\beta$ half-life of $^{130}$Te to date, at$T^{0\nu}_{1/2}>4.5\times10^{24}$~yr (90\% C.L.). Using the presentnuclear matrix element calculations for $^{130}$Te, this resultcorr

En este trabajo se pretende analizar la microestructura de monocristales de TeO2 (paratelurita) deformados plásticamente en compresión uniaxial a alta temperatura (∼870 K) en distintas condiciones. Para ello, se han ensayado muestras con orientación cristalográfica [110], y se han cortado láminas correspondientes a los planos de deslizamiento para ser observadas con microscopía electrónica de transmisión. El estudio de la subestructura de dislocaciones en este material es complejo debido a su alta anisotropía. La observación de dicha microestructura ha puesto de manifiesto la presencia de disociación de dislocaciones. Es la primera vez que se encuentra este fenómeno en la paratelurita. De la distancia de equilibrio entre dislocaciones parciales, se ha podido obtener una estimación de la energía de falta de apilamiento en este sistema., This work intends to analyse the microstructure of paratellurite (TeO2 single crystals) plastically deformed at high temperature ∼870 K) in uniaxial compression along [110]. Samples have been mechanically tested, and thin foils have been cut from them, corresponding to the slip systems to be observed in transmission electron microscopy. The study of the dislocation substructure in this material is rather complex due to its high anisotropy. Microstructural observation by TEM has put into evidence the presence of dislocation dissociation. This is the first work reporting this fact. From the equilibrium distance between partials, an estimation of the stacking fault energy has been carried out.

En este trabajo se pretende analizar la microestructura de monocristales de TeO2 (paratelurita) deformados plásticamente en compresión uniaxial a alta temperatura (∼870 K) en distintas condiciones. Para ello, se han ensayado muestras con orientación cristalográfica [110], y se han cortado láminas correspondientes a los planos de deslizamiento para ser observadas con microscopía electrónica de transmisión. El estudio de la subestructura de dislocaciones en este material es complejo debido a su alta anisotropía. La observación de dicha microestructura ha puesto de manifiesto la presencia de disociación de dislocaciones. Es la primera vez que se encuentra este fenómeno en la paratelurita. De la distancia de equilibrio entre dislocaciones parciales, se ha podido obtener una estimación de la energía de falta de apilamiento en este sistema., This work intends to analyse the microstructure of paratellurite (TeO2 single crystals) plastically deformed at high temperature ∼870 K) in uniaxial compression along [110]. Samples have been mechanically tested, and thin foils have been cut from them, corresponding to the slip systems to be observed in transmission electron microscopy. The study of the dislocation substructure in this material is rather complex due to its high anisotropy. Microstructural observation by TEM has put into evidence the presence of dislocation dissociation. This is the first work reporting this fact. From the equilibrium distance between partials, an estimation of the stacking fault energy has been carried out.

En este trabajo se pretende analizar la microestructura de monocristales de TeO2 (paratelurita) deformados plásticamente en compresión uniaxial a alta temperatura (∼870 K) en distintas condiciones. Para ello, se han ensayado muestras con orientación cristalográfica [110], y se han cortado láminas correspondientes a los planos de deslizamiento para ser observadas con microscopía electrónica de transmisión. El estudio de la subestructura de dislocaciones en este material es complejo debido a su alta anisotropía. La observación de dicha microestructura ha puesto de manifiesto la presencia de disociación de dislocaciones. Es la primera vez que se encuentra este fenómeno en la paratelurita. De la distancia de equilibrio entre dislocaciones parciales, se ha podido obtener una estimación de la energía de falta de apilamiento en este sistema., This work intends to analyse the microstructure of paratellurite (TeO2 single crystals) plastically deformed at high temperature ∼870 K) in uniaxial compression along [110]. Samples have been mechanically tested, and thin foils have been cut from them, corresponding to the slip systems to be observed in transmission electron microscopy. The study of the dislocation substructure in this material is rather complex due to its high anisotropy. Microstructural observation by TEM has put into evidence the presence of dislocation dissociation. This is the first work reporting this fact. From the equilibrium distance between partials, an estimation of the stacking fault energy has been carried out.

En este trabajo se pretende analizar la microestructura de monocristales de TeO2 (paratelurita) deformados plásticamente en compresión uniaxial a alta temperatura (∼870 K) en distintas condiciones. Para ello, se han ensayado muestras con orientación cristalográfica [110], y se han cortado láminas correspondientes a los planos de deslizamiento para ser observadas con microscopía electrónica de transmisión. El estudio de la subestructura de dislocaciones en este material es complejo debido a su alta anisotropía. La observación de dicha microestructura ha puesto de manifiesto la presencia de disociación de dislocaciones. Es la primera vez que se encuentra este fenómeno en la paratelurita. De la distancia de equilibrio entre dislocaciones parciales, se ha podido obtener una estimación de la energía de falta de apilamiento en este sistema., This work intends to analyse the microstructure of paratellurite (TeO2 single crystals) plastically deformed at high temperature ∼870 K) in uniaxial compression along [110]. Samples have been mechanically tested, and thin foils have been cut from them, corresponding to the slip systems to be observed in transmission electron microscopy. The study of the dislocation substructure in this material is rather complex due to its high anisotropy. Microstructural observation by TEM has put into evidence the presence of dislocation dissociation. This is the first work reporting this fact. From the equilibrium distance between partials, an estimation of the stacking fault energy has been carried out.

En este trabajo se pretende analizar la microestructura de monocristales de TeO2 (paratelurita) deformados plásticamente en compresión uniaxial a alta temperatura (∼870 K) en distintas condiciones. Para ello, se han ensayado muestras con orientación cristalográfica [110], y se han cortado láminas correspondientes a los planos de deslizamiento para ser observadas con microscopía electrónica de transmisión. El estudio de la subestructura de dislocaciones en este material es complejo debido a su alta anisotropía. La observación de dicha microestructura ha puesto de manifiesto la presencia de disociación de dislocaciones. Es la primera vez que se encuentra este fenómeno en la paratelurita. De la distancia de equilibrio entre dislocaciones parciales, se ha podido obtener una estimación de la energía de falta de apilamiento en este sistema., This work intends to analyse the microstructure of paratellurite (TeO2 single crystals) plastically deformed at high temperature ∼870 K) in uniaxial compression along [110]. Samples have been mechanically tested, and thin foils have been cut from them, corresponding to the slip systems to be observed in transmission electron microscopy. The study of the dislocation substructure in this material is rather complex due to its high anisotropy. Microstructural observation by TEM has put into evidence the presence of dislocation dissociation. This is the first work reporting this fact. From the equilibrium distance between partials, an estimation of the stacking fault energy has been carried out.