Search

The direct detection of dark matter constituents, in particular the weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), is central to particle physics and cosmology. In this paper we study WIMP induced transitions from isomeric nuclear states for two possible isomeric candidates: $\rm^{180}Ta$ and $\rm^{166}Ho$. The experimental setup, which can measure the possible decay of $\rm^{180}Ta$ induced by WIMPs, was proposed. The corresponding estimates of the half-life of $\rm^{180}Ta$ are given in the sense that the WIMP-nucleon interaction can be interpreted as ordinary radioactive decay.

$^{180m}$Ta is a naturally abundant quasi-stable nuclide and the longest-lived nuclear isomer known to date. It is of interest for, among others, the search for dark matter, for the development of a gamma laser and for astrophysics. So far, its excitation energy has not been measured directly but has been based on an evaluation of available nuclear reaction data. We have determined the excitation energy of this isomer with high accuracy using the Penning-trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP. The determined mass difference between the ground and isomeric states of $^{180}$Ta yields an excitation energy of 76.79(55) keV for $^{180m}$Ta. This is the first direct measurement of the excitation energy and provides a better accuracy than the previous evaluation value, 75.3(14) keV., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures

Double-beta processes play a key role in the exploration of neutrino and weak interaction properties, and in the searches for effects beyond the Standard Model. During the last half century many attempts were undertaken to search for double-beta decay with emission of two electrons, especially for its neutrinoless mode ($0\nu2\beta^-$), the latter being still not observed. Double-electron capture (2EC) was not in focus so far because of its in general lower transition probability. However, the rate of neutrinoless double-electron capture ($0\nu2$EC) can experience a resonance enhancement by many orders of magnitude in case the initial and final states are energetically degenerate. In the resonant case, the sensitivity of the $0\nu2$EC process can approach the sensitivity of the $0\nu2\beta^-$ decay in the search for the Majorana mass of neutrinos, right-handed currents, and other new physics. We present an overview of the main experimental and theoretical results obtained during the last decade in this field. The experimental part outlines search results of 2EC processes and measurements of the decay energies for possible resonant $0\nu$2EC transitions. An unprecedented precision in the determination of decay energies with Penning traps has allowed one to refine the values of the degeneracy parameter for all previously known near-resonant decays and has reduced the rather large uncertainties in the estimate of the $0\nu2$EC half-lives. The theoretical part contains an updated analysis of the electron shell effects and an overview of the nuclear structure models, in which the nuclear matrix elements of the $0\nu2$EC decays are calculated. One can conclude that the decay probability of $0\nu$2EC can experience a significant enhancement in several nuclides., Comment: 68 pages, 14 tables, 19 figures, accepted for publication in Reviews of Modern Physics

The existence of sterile neutrino is an open question in neutrino physics up to now. The method of neutrino oscillometry provides a powerful tool to test the common 3+1 sterile neutrino hypothesis, i.e. three active flavors and one sterile falvor. There are several antineutrino sources can be used for this method. One of them is the well known isotope chain of $^{144}{\rm Ce}-$$^{144}{\rm Pr}$ with initial activity around 50-100 kCi. It has compact size and might be installed either outside or inside the detector. Another one is the short-lived isotope $\rm^8Li$, which can be produced in nuclear reaction of a proton beam hitting beryllium target. The Lithium source has only the out-of-detector option due to its large size. The proposed Jinping water-based liquid scintillator detector will be used as a detection volume. Above experimental setups will allow us to cover the current best fit values of oscillation parameters with 90% C.L. At the same time, it is sensitive to the region of Neutrino-4 result., Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures

For the first time a direct determination of the atomic mass difference of 187Re and 187Os has been performed with the Penning-trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP applying the novel phase-imaging ion-cyclotron-resonance technique. The obtained value of 2492(30stat)(15sys) eV is in excellent agreement with the Q values determined indirectly with microcalorimetry and thus resolves a long-standing discrepancy with older proportional counter measurements. This is essential for the determination of the neutrino mass from the beta-decay of 187Re as planned in future microcalorimetric measurements. In addition, an accurate mass difference of 187Re and 187Os is also important for the assessment of 187Re for cosmochronology., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

The atomic mass difference of 163Ho and 163Dy has been directly measured with the Penning trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP applying the novel phase imaging ion cyclotron resonance technique. Our measurement has solved the long standing problem of large discrepancies in the Q value of the electron capture in 163Ho determined by different techniques. Our measured mass difference shifts the current Q value of 2555(16) eV evaluated in the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2012 [G. Audi et al., Chin. Phys. C 36, 1157 (2012)] by more than 7 sigma to 2833(30stat)(15sys) eV/c2. With the new mass difference it will be possible, e.g., to reach in the first phase of the ECHo experiment a statistical sensitivity to the neutrino mass below 10 eV, which will reduce its present upper limit by more than an order of magnitude., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

The investigation of the oscillation pattern induced by the sterile neutrinos might determine the oscillation parameters, and at the same time, allow to probe CPT symmetry in the leptonic sector through neutrino-antineutrino mass inequality. We propose to use a large scintillation detector like JUNO or LENA to detect electron neutrinos and electron antineutrinos from MCi electron capture or beta decay sources. Our calculations indicate that such an experiment is realistic and could be performed in parallel to the current research plans for JUNO and RENO. Requiring at least 5$\sigma$ confidence level and assuming the values of the oscillation parameters indicated by the current global fit, we would be able to detect neutrino-antineutrino mass inequality of the order of 0.5% or larger, which would imply a signal of CPT anomalies., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures

Quantum-mechanical shell effects are expected to strongly enhance nuclear binding on an "island of stability" of superheavy elements. The predicted center at proton number $Z=114,120$, or $126$ and neutron number $N=184$ has been substantiated by the recent synthesis of new elements up to $Z=118$. However the location of the center and the extension of the island of stability remain vague. High-precision mass spectrometry allows the direct measurement of nuclear binding energies and thus the determination of the strength of shell effects. Here, we present such measurements for nobelium and lawrencium isotopes, which also pin down the deformed shell gap at $N=152$., Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures

A joint effort of cryogenic microcalorimetry (CM) and high-precision Penning-trap mass spectrometry (PT-MS) in investigating atomic orbital electron capture (EC) can shed light on the possible existence of heavy sterile neutrinos with masses from 0.5 to 100 keV. Sterile neutrinos are expected to perturb the shape of the atomic de-excitation spectrum measured by CM after a capture of the atomic orbital electrons by a nucleus. This effect should be observable in the ratios of the capture probabilities from different orbits. The sensitivity of the ratio values to the contribution of sterile neutrinos strongly depends on how accurately the mass difference between the parent and the daughter nuclides of EC-transitions can be measured by, e.g., PT-MS. A comparison of such probability ratios in different isotopes of a certain chemical element allows one to exclude many systematic uncertainties and thus could make feasible a determination of the contribution of sterile neutrinos on a level below 1%. Several electron capture transitions suitable for such measurements are discussed., Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables

We consider the possibility of detecting relic anti-neutrinos by their resonant absorption in a nucleus, which can undergo electron capture. This possibility appears quite realistic in view of recent developments in Penning Trap Mass Spectrometry and cryogenic micro-calorimetry., Comment: 7 LaTex pages, 5 figures (two new added), 2 tables (one new added); references added, discussion extended, to appear in J. Phys. B (in press)

The determination of the absolute scale of the neutrino masses is one of the most challenging present questions in particle physics. The most stringent limit, $m(\bar{\nu}_{\mathrm{e}})<2$eV, was achieved for the electron anti-neutrino mass \cite{numass}. Different approaches are followed to achieve a sensitivity on neutrino masses in the sub-eV range. Among them, experiments exploring the beta decay or electron capture of suitable nuclides can provide information on the electron neutrino mass value. We present the Electron Capture $^{163}$Ho experiment ECHo, which aims to investigate the electron neutrino mass in the sub-eV range by means of the analysis of the calorimetrically measured energy spectrum following electron capture of $^{163}$Ho. A high precision and high statistics spectrum will be measured with arrays of metallic magnetic calorimeters. We discuss some of the essential aspects of ECHo to reach the proposed sensitivity: detector optimization and performance, multiplexed readout, $^{163}$Ho source production and purification, as well as a precise theoretical and experimental parameterization of the calorimetric EC spectrum including in particular the value of $Q_{\mathrm{EC}}$. We present preliminary results obtained with a first prototype of single channel detectors as well as a first 64-pixel chip with integrated micro-wave SQUID multiplexer, which will already allow to investigate $m(\nu_{\mathrm{e}})$ in the eV range., Comment: Contribution to the LTD15 Conference Proceedings

The determination of the absolute scale of the neutrino masses is one of the most challenging questions in particle physics. Different approaches are followed to achieve a sensitivity on neutrino masses in the sub-eV range. Among them, experiments exploring the beta decay and electron capture processes of suitable nuclides can provide necessary information on the electron neutrino mass value. In this talk we present the Electron Capture 163-Ho experiment ECHo, which aims to investigate the electron neutrino mass in the sub-eV range by means of the analysis of the calorimetrically measured energy spectrum following the electron capture process of 163-Ho. A high precision and high statistics spectrum will be measured by means of low temperature magnetic calorimeter arrays. We present preliminary results obtained with a first prototype of single channel detectors as well as the participating groups and their on-going developments., Comment: Part of the white paper for the NuMass 2013 Workshop (Milano, Italy 4-7 February 2013)

The mass difference of the nuclides 180W and 180Hf has been measured with the Penning-trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP to investigate 180W as a possible candidate for the search for neutrinoless doubleelectron capture. The Q-value was measured to 143.20(27)keV. This value in combination with the calculations of the atomic electron wave functions and other parameters results in a half-life of the 0+ \rightarrow 0+ ground-state to ground-state double-electron capture transition of approximately 5\cdot10E27 years/^2.

The large next generation liquid-scintillator detector LENA (Low Energy Neutrino Astronomy) offers an excellent opportunity for neutrino oscillometry. The characteristic spatial pattern of very low monoenergetic neutrino disappearance from artificial radioactive sources can be detected within the long length of detector. Sufficiently strong sources of more than 1 MCi activity can be produced at nuclear reactors. Oscillometry will provide a unique tool for precise determination of the mixing parameters for both active and sterile neutrinos within the broad mass region 0.01 - 2 (eV)^2. LENA can be considered as a versatile tool for a careful investigation of neutrino oscillations.

The novel five-Penning trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP is developed at the Max-Planck-Institut f\"ur Kernphysik (MPIK), Heidelberg. Ions of interest are long-lived highly charged nuclides up to bare uranium. PENTATRAP aims for an accuracy of a few parts in 10^12 for mass ratios of mass doublets. A physics program for PENTATRAP includes Q-values measurements of \beta-transitions relevant for neutrino physics, stringent tests of quantum electrodynamics in the regime of extreme electric fields, and a test of special relativity. Main features of PENTATRAP are an access to a source of highly charged ions, a multi-trap configuration, simultaneous measurements of frequencies, a continuous precise monitoring of magnetic field fluctuations, a fast exchange between different ions, and a highly sensitive cryogenic non-destructive detection system. This paper gives a motivation for the new mass spectrometer PENTATRAP, presents its experimental setup, and describes the present status.

It is shown that the "new" neutrino with a high mass squared difference and a small mixing angle should reveal itself in the oscillometry measurements. For a judicious monochromatic neutrino source the "new" oscillation length $L_{42}$ is expected shorter than 1.5 m. Thus the needed measurements can be implemented with a gaseous spherical TPC of modest dimensions with a very good energy and position resolution. The best candidates for oscillometry are discussed and the sensitivity to the mixing angle $\theta_{14}$ has been estimated: $\sin^2{(2\theta_{14})}$=0.05 (99{%}) for two months of data handling with $^{51}$Cr., Comment: 4 Latex Pages, 1 Figure, 1 table

It is shown that, if the "new neutrino" implied by the Reactor Neutrino Anomaly exists and is in fact characterized by the suggested relatively high mass squared difference and reasonably large mixing angle, it should clearly reveal itself in the oscillometry measurements. For a judicious neutrino source the "new oscillation length L14 is expected shorter than 3m. Thus the needed measurements can be implemented with a gaseous spherical TPC of modest dimensions with a very good energy and position resolution, detecting nuclear recoils following the coherent neutrino-nucleus elastic scattering. The best candidates for oscillometry, yielding both monochromatic neutrinos as well as antineutrinos, are discussed. A sensitivity in the mixing angle theta14, (sin(2\theta14))^2=0.1 (99 %), can be reached after a few months of data handling., Comment: 18 LaTex pages, 11 figures, 2 tables

The masses of ten proton-rich nuclides, including the N=Z+1 nuclides 85-Mo and 87-Tc, were measured with the Penning trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP. Compared to the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2003 a systematic shift of the mass surface by up to 1.6 MeV is observed causing significant abundance changes of the ashes of astrophysical X-ray bursts. Surprisingly low alpha-separation energies for neutron-deficient Mo and Tc are found, making the formation of a ZrNb cycle in the rp process possible. Such a cycle would impose an upper temperature limit for the synthesis of elements beyond Nb in the rp process., Comment: Link to online abstract: http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.122501

Neutrino oscillations are studied employing sources of low energy monoenergetic neutrinos following electron capture by the nucleus and measuring electron recoils. Since the neutrino energy is very low the oscillation length appearing in this electronic neutrino disappearance experiment can be so small that the full oscillation can take place inside the detector. Thus one may determine very accurately all the neutrino oscillation parameters. In particular one can measure or set a better limit on the unknown parameter theta13. One, however, has to pay the price that the expected counting rates are very small. Thus one needs a very intensive neutrino source and a large detector with as low as possible energy threshold and high energy and position resolution. Both spherical gaseous and cylindrical liquid detectors are studied. Different source candidates are considered, Comment: 6 pages, 1 table 3 figures. Presented in the conferences PASCOS10, Valencia spain and Neutrino 2010, Athens Greece

In the present work we propose to study neutrino oscillations employing sources of monoenergetic neutrinos following electron capture by the nucleus. Since the neutrino energy is very low the smaller of the two oscillation lengths, L23, appearing in this electronic neutrino disappearance experiment can be so small that the full oscillation can take place inside the detector and one may determine very accurately the neutrino oscillation parameters. Since in this case the oscillation probability is proportional to theta13, one can measure or set a better limit on the unknown parameter theta13. This is quite important, since, if this mixing angle vanishes, there is not going to be CP violation in the leptonic sector. The best way to detect it is by measuring electron recoils in neutrino-electron scattering. One, however, has to pay the price that the expected counting rates are very small. Thus one needs a very intensive neutrino source and a large detector with as low as possible energy threshold and high energy and position resolution. Both spherical gaseous and cylindrical liquid detectors are studied. Different source candidates are considered., Comment: New material and additional references. 18 LaTex pages, 11 eps figures,1 table. To appear in Nuclear Physics

This review article describes the trapping of charged particles. The main principles of electromagnetic confinement of various species from elementary particles to heavy atoms are briefly described. The preparation and manipulation with trapped single particles, as well as methods of frequency measurements, providing unprecedented precision, are discussed. Unique applications of Penning traps in fundamental physics are presented. Ultra-precise trap-measurements of masses and magnetic moments of elementary particles (electrons, positrons, protons and antiprotons) confirm CPT-conservation, and allow accurate determination of the fine-structure constant alpha and other fundamental constants. This together with the information on the unitarity of the quark-mixing matrix, derived from the trap-measurements of atomic masses, serves for assessment of the Standard Model of the physics world. Direct mass measurements of nuclides targeted to some advanced problems of astrophysics and nuclear physics are also presented.

The masses of very neutron-deficient nuclides close to the astrophysical rp- and nu p-process paths have been determined with the Penning trap facilities JYFLTRAP at JYFL/Jyv\"askyl\"a and SHIPTRAP at GSI/Darmstadt. Isotopes from yttrium (Z = 39) to palladium (Z = 46) have been produced in heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reactions. In total 21 nuclides were studied and almost half of the mass values were experimentally determined for the first time: 88Tc, 90-92Ru, 92-94Rh, and 94,95Pd. For the 95Pdm, (21/2^+) high-spin state, a first direct mass determination was performed. Relative mass uncertainties of typically $\delta m / m = 5 \times 10^{-8}$ were obtained. The impact of the new mass values has been studied in nu p-process nucleosynthesis calculations. The resulting reaction flow and the final abundances are compared to those obtained with the data of the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2003., Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables, submitted to Phys. Rev. C

Nuclides in the vicinity of 94Ag have been studied with the Penning trap mass spectrometer JYFLTRAP at the Ion-Guide Separator On-Line. The masses of the two-proton-decay daughter 92Rh and the beta-decay daughter 94Pd of the high-spin isomer in 94Ag have been measured, and the masses of 93Pd and 94Ag have been deduced. When combined with the data from the one-proton or two-proton-decay experiments, the results lead to contradictory mass excess values for the high-spin isomer in 94Ag, -46370(170) or -44970(100) keV, corresponding to excitation energies of 6960(400) or 8360(370) keV, respectively., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures and 3 tables; v2: updated figures and references, published in Physical Review Letters

The FRS-ESR facility at GSI provides unique conditions for precision measurements of large areas on the nuclear mass surface in a single experiment. Values for masses of 604 neutron-deficient nuclides (30<=Z<=92) were obtained with a typical uncertainty of 30 microunits. The masses of 114 nuclides were determined for the first time. The odd-even staggering (OES) of nuclear masses was systematically investigated for isotopic chains between the proton shell closures at Z=50 and Z=82. The results were compared with predictions of modern nuclear models. The comparison revealed that the measured trend of OES is not reproduced by the theories fitted to masses only. The spectral pairing gaps extracted from models adjusted to both masses, and density related observables of nuclei agree better with the experimental data., Comment: Physics Review Letters 95 (2005) 042501 http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v95/e042501

The dominant dielectric used currently in silicon devices is silicon oxide. Its application for future devices will be impeded by several fundamental limitations which lead to low reliability of semiconductor devices and to the necessity of alternative dielectrics. Amorphous silicon nitride and oxynitride are considered now as alternative to silicon oxide in future devices. One of the unique property of amorphous silicon nitride is the electron and hole capture by the deep traps with extremely long life time (10 years) in the captured state (the memory effect). This property is employed in memory devices and microprocessors in computers. Despite numerous efforts the nature of traps responsible for the memory effect in this material is so far unclear. In this paper we discuss the nature of such traps using the quantum-chemical simulation. The calculations show that the defects responsible for the electron and hole capture in amorphous silicon nitride can be the Si-Si defects created by excess silicon atoms., Comment: 4 pages, LaTex

A failure of chips in a huge amount of modern electronic devices is connected as a rule with the undesirable capturing of charge (electrons and holes) by traps in a thin insulating film of silicon oxide in transistors. It leads to a breakdown of transistors or to a destructive change of their characteristics. It is suggested that silicon oxide will be replaced in the next generation of nanoscale devices by silicon oxynitride. Therefore, it is very important to understand the nature of traps in this material. We discuss this nature using the quantum-chemical simulation., Comment: 4 pages, LaTex, 1 gif file with 2 figures