Search

The resonant excitation of the 83Kr first excited nuclear level (E = 9.4 keV) by solar axions whose fluxes depend on the axion–electron coupling constant gAe is sought. The γ- and X-ray photons and the conversion and Auger electrons from the excited-level relaxation are detected with a gas proportional counter of a low-background detector in the underground Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences). As a result, a new constraint $${\text{|}}{{g}_{{Ae}}}(g_{{AN}}^{3} - g_{{AN}}^{0}){\text{|}}$$ ≤ 1.50 × 10–17 (90% C.L.) has been obtained for the axion–electron and axion–nucleon coupling constants, which corresponds to new constraints on the axion mass mA ≤ 320 eV and mA ≤ 4.6 eV in the KSVZ and DFSZ axion models, respectively.

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0021364022390011

The Baksan Experiment on Sterile Transitions (BEST) probes the gallium anomaly and its possible connections to oscillations between active and sterile neutrinos. Based on the Gallium-Germanium Neutrino Telescope (GGNT) technology of the SAGE experiment, BEST employs two zones of liquid Ga target to explore neutrino oscillations on the meter scale. Oscillations on this short scale could produce deficits in the $^{71}$Ge production rates within the two zones, as well as a possible rate difference between the zones. From July 5th to October 13th 2019, the two-zone target was exposed to a primarily monoenergetic, 3.4-MCi $^{51}$Cr neutrino source 10 times for a total of 20 independent $^{71}$Ge extractions from the two Ga targets. The $^{71}$Ge production rates from the neutrino source were measured from July 2019 to March 2020. At the end of these measurements, the counters were filled with $^{71}$Ge doped gas and calibrated during November 2020. In this paper, results from the BEST sterile neutrino oscillation experiment are presented in details. The ratio of the measured $^{71}$Ge production rates to the predicted rates for the inner and the outer target volumes are calculated from the known neutrino capture cross section. Comparable deficits in the measured ratios relative to predicted values are found for both zones, with the $4 \sigma$ deviations from unity consistent with the previously reported gallium anomaly. If interpreted in the context of neutrino oscillations, the deficits give best fit oscillation parameters of $\Delta m^2=3.3^{+\infty}_{-2.3}$ eV$^2$ and sin$^2 2\theta=0.42^{+0.15}_{-0.17}$, consistent with $\nu_e \rightarrow \nu_s$ oscillations governed by a surprisingly large mixing angle.

for the first time to our knowledge, multilayer fog evolution is detected using a compact backscattering lidar. Sensing of aerosols was performed in an inclined tunnel (50 m long) of the scintillation telescope of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory. The lidar was assembled on a GaAs diode laser (λ = 910 nm) with an eye-safe radiation intensity (< 1 µJ/cm2) and a high pulse repetition rate (to 10 kHz) with a record short duration (∼3 ns) when pumped with current pulses. A silicon avalanche photodiode operating in the gated photon counting mode was used as a receiver.

The Baksan Experiment on Sterile Transitions (BEST) was designed to investigate the deficit of electron neutrinos, $\nu_{e}$, observed in previous gallium-based radiochemical measurements with high-intensity neutrino sources, commonly referred to as the \textit{gallium anomaly}, which could be interpreted as evidence for oscillations between $\nu_e$ and sterile neutrino ($\nu_s$) states. A 3.414-MCi \nuc{51}{Cr} $\nu_e$ source was placed at the center of two nested Ga volumes and measurements were made of the production of \nuc{71}{Ge} through the charged current reaction, \nuc{71}{Ga}($\nu_e$,e$^-$)\nuc{71}{Ge}, at two average distances. The measured production rates for the inner and the outer targets respectively are ($54.9^{+2.5}_{-2.4}(\mbox{stat})\pm1.4 (\mbox{syst})$) and ($55.6^{+2.7}_{-2.6}(\mbox{stat})\pm1.4 (\mbox{syst})$) atoms of \nuc{71}{Ge}/d. The ratio ($R$) of the measured rate of \nuc{71}{Ge} production at each distance to the expected rate from the known cross section and experimental efficiencies are $R_{in}=0.79\pm0.05$ and $R_{out}= 0.77\pm0.05$. The ratio of the outer to the inner result is 0.97$\pm$0.07, which is consistent with unity within uncertainty. The rates at each distance were found to be similar, but 20-24\% lower than expected, thus reaffirming the anomaly. These results are consistent with $\nu_e \rightarrow \nu_s$ oscillations with a relatively large $\Delta m^2$ ($>$0.5 eV$^2$) and mixing sin$^2 2\theta$ ($\approx$0.4)., Comment: Paper updated to final version

Because of a high energy of the neutrinoless double-beta decay (0ν2β) of the isotope 150Nd and a high value of the daughter-nucleus charge Zf, 150Nd is one of the most promising isotopes for 0ν2β-decay searches. A 150Nd-containing detector on the basis of a liquid organic scintillator permits employing large isotope masses. Requirements on the radiation purity of the neodymium sample used are determined. The possible design of a large-scale detector of this type and expected results are considered.

The GERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) collaboration searched for neutrinoless double-$\beta$ decay in $^{76}$Ge with an array of about 40 high-purity isotopically-enriched germanium detectors. The experimental signature of the decay is a monoenergetic signal at Q$_{\beta\beta}$ = 2039.061(7)keV in the measured summed energy spectrum of the two emitted electrons. Both the energy reconstruction and resolution of the germanium detectors are crucial to separate a potential signal from various backgrounds, such as neutrino-accompanied double-$\beta$ decays allowed by the Standard Model. The energy resolution and stability were determined and monitored as a function of time using data from regular $^{228}$Th calibrations. In this work, we describe the calibration process and associated data analysis of the full GERDA dataset, tailored to preserve the excellent resolution of the individual germanium detectors when combining data over several years., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures

The GERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment searched for the lepton-number-violating neutrinoless double-$\beta$ ($0\nu\beta\beta$) decay of $^{76}$Ge, whose discovery would have far-reaching implications in cosmology and particle physics. By operating bare germanium diodes, enriched in $^{76}$Ge, in an active liquid argon shield, GERDA achieved an unprecedently low background index of $5.2\times10^{-4}$ counts/(keV$\cdot$kg$\cdot$yr) in the signal region and met the design goal to collect an exposure of 100 kg$\cdot$yr in a background-free regime. When combined with the result of Phase I, no signal is observed after 127.2 kg$\cdot$yr of total exposure. A limit on the half-life of $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay in $^{76}$Ge is set at $T_{1/2}>1.8\times10^{26}$ yr at 90% C.L., which coincides with the sensitivity assuming no signal., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letters

A new-generation eye-safe lidar has been developed for tectonic aerosol sensing. The lidar was installed inside an adit of Baksan Neutrino Observatory to quantify tectonic aerosol fluctuations. As aerosol fluctuations are induced by Earth’s crust deformations, a laser strainmeter was used to measure the deformations. A correlation of strainmeter and aerosol lidar signals was observed during low-frequency Earth’s crust deformations.

We present the first search for bosonic superweakly interacting massive particles (super-WIMPs) as keV-scale dark matter candidates performed with the GERDA experiment. GERDA is a neutrinoless double-β decay experiment which operates high-purity germanium detectors enriched in Ge76 in an ultralow background environment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) of INFN in Italy. Searches were performed for pseudoscalar and vector particles in the mass region from 60 keV/c2 to 1 MeV/c2. No evidence for a dark matter signal was observed, and the most stringent constraints on the couplings of super-WIMPs with masses above 120 keV/c2 have been set. As an example, at a mass of 150 keV/c2 the most stringent direct limits on the dimensionless couplings of axionlike particles and dark photons to electrons of gae<3×10−12 and α′/α<6.5×10−24 at 90% credible interval, respectively, were obtained.

We present the first search for bosonic superweakly interacting massive particles (super-WIMPs) as keV-scale dark matter candidates performed with the GERDA experiment. GERDA is a neutrinoless double-s decay experiment which operates high-purity germanium detectors enriched in ^{76}Ge in an ultralow background environment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) of INFN in Italy. Searches were performed for pseudoscalar and vector particles in the mass region from 60 keV/c^{2} to 1 MeV/c^{2}. No evidence for a dark matter signal was observed, and the most stringent constraints on the couplings of super-WIMPs with masses above 120 keV/c^{2} have been set. As an example, at a mass of 150 keV/c^{2} the most stringent direct limits on the dimensionless couplings of axionlike particles and dark photons to electrons of g_{ae}

Results of a comparative analysis of the $^{214}$Po ($T_{1/2}= 163.47\pm0.03$ $\mu$s), $^{213}$Po ($T_{1/2}=3.705 \pm 0.001$ $\mu$s) and $^{212}$Po ($T_{1/2}=294.09\pm0.07$ ns) half-life annular variation parameters are presented. It is shown that two independent sequential sets of the $^{214}$Po $\tau$-values $(\tau\equiv T_{1/2})$ obtained in the spaced laboratories can be described by sinusoidal functions. The sinusoid curve with amplitude $A=(5.0 \pm1.5) \cdot 10^{-4}$, period $\omega=(365\pm 8)$ days, and phase $\phi=(170 \pm 7)$ days approximates the set of $^{214}$Po $\tau$ values obtained at BNO INR RAS during the $\sim$973 days starting on January 4, 2012. The function approximates a set of $\tau$-values with a time duration of $\sim1460$ days obtained at the KhNU has an amplitude $A=(4.9\pm1.8)\cdot10^{-4}$, a period $\omega= (377\pm13)$ days and a phase $\phi=(77\pm10)$ days. The $^{213}$Po $\tau$-value set with a time duration of $\sim1700$ days can be described by a sinusoidal function with an amplitude $A=(3.9\pm1.2)\cdot10^{-4}$, a period $\omega= (370\pm13)$ days and a phase $\phi=(130\pm9)$ days. The $^{212}$Po $\tau$-value set with a time duration of $\sim670$ days can be described by a sinusoidal function with an amplitude $A=(7.5\pm1.6)\cdot10^{-4}$, a period $\omega= (375\pm13)$ days and a phase $\phi=(40\pm10)$ days., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Prepared for the proceedings of The 5th International Conference on Particle Physics and Astrophysics (ICPPA-2020)

The GERmanium Detector Array (Gerda) experiment at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) of INFN is searching for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge. The technological challenge of Gerda is to operate in a “background-free” regime in the region of interest (ROI) after analysis cuts for the full 100 kg·yr target exposure of the experiment. A careful modeling and decomposition of the full-range energy spectrum is essential to predict the shape and composition of events in the ROI around Qββ for the 0νββ search, to extract a precise measurement of the half-life of the double-beta decay mode with neutrinos (2νββ) and in order to identify the location of residual impurities. The latter will permit future experiments to build strategies in order to further lower the background and achieve even better sensitivities. In this article the background decomposition prior to analysis cuts is presented for Gerda Phase II. The background model fit yields a flat spectrum in the ROI with a background index (BI) of $$ {16.04}_{-0.85}^{+0.78}\cdotp {10}^{-3} $$ 16.04 − 0.85 + 0.78 · 10 − 3 cts/(keV·kg·yr) for the enriched BEGe data set and $$ {14.68}_{-0.52}^{+0.47}\cdotp {10}^{-3} $$ 14.68 − 0.52 + 0.47 · 10 − 3 cts/(keV·kg·yr) for the enriched coaxial data set. These values are similar to the one of Phase I despite a much larger number of detectors and hence radioactive hardware components.

A device with the parent 229Th source was constructed to search for variations of the daughter 213Po half-life (T1/2 = 4.2 μs). A solar-daily variation with amplitude ASo = (5.3 ± 1.1) × 10–4, a lunar-daily variation with amplitude AL = (4.8 ± 2.1) × 10–4, and a sidereal-daily variation with amplitude AS = (4.2 ± 1.7) × 10–4 were found upon proceeding the data series over a 622-day interval (from July 2015 to March 2017). The 213Po half-life mean value is found to be T1/2 = 3.705 ± 0.001 μs. The reference value is corrected by 12%.

A brief description of the results of joint analysis of data obtained in long-term measurements of krypton samples differing in 78Kr content is presented. Low-background high-pressure proportional gas counters were used as detectors. The comparative analysis of experimental data on single and double K-capture provided the first estimate of the probability of production of a double K-shell vacancy in the process of K-shell electron capture in 81Kr: $${{P}_{{KK}}} = \left[ {5.7 \pm 0.8\,\,({\text{stat}}{\text{.}}) \pm 0.4\,\,({\text{syst}}{\text{.}})} \right] \times {{10}^{{ - 5}}}$$ . A new result for the half-life of 78Kr with respect to the 2K(2ν)-mode was also obtained: $${{T}_{{1/2}}} = \left[ {1.9_{{ - 0.7}}^{{ + 1.3}}\,\,({\text{stat}}{\text{.}}) \pm 0.3\,\,({\text{syst}}{\text{.}})} \right] \times {{10}^{{22}}}$$ years (90% CL).

The result of low-background measurements of the gamma activity of graphite-potassium intercalated sample is presented. A germanium gamma spectrometer, used for measurements, was located in the low-background chamber of Baksan Neutrino Observatory. For 384 hours of exposure, 768 decays of K-40 isotope nuclei were registered. This activity corresponds to 85 μg/cm2 potassium atoms embedded in to graphite lattice. A computer simulation of the intercalation process and the gamma-ray spectrum set is also presented. The accuracy of the potassium concentration determination can be brought to 10–11–10–12 g/g for mixture enriched with K-40 isotope.

A brief history of the development of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (BNO) of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INR RAS) is presented. Ground and underground facilities are described. The main problems solved using these facilities and results of the conducted measurements are listed. Long-term research plans are discussed.

The results of the experimental search for two-neutrino 2K-capture in 124Xe with a large copper proportional counter obtained by processing the data for an exposure of 37.7 kg day are presented. The experimental setup is located at the Underground Low-Background Laboratory of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory at a depth of 4900 m.w.e. The combination of methods of selection of useful signals with a unique set of characteristics and the event topology taken into account allowed us to suppress the background in the energy region of interest. A new half-life limit for 2K(2ν)-capture in 124Xe was determined: T1/2 ≥ 7.7 × 1021 years (90% CL).

Resonance excitation of the 83Kr first nuclear level (E = 9.4 keV) by solar axions formed via the Primakoff mechanism is sought. The γ- and X-ray photons and the conversion and Auger electrons arising from the excited-level relaxation are detected with a gas proportional counter of a low-background detector in the underground Baksan Neutrino Observatory. The following experimental constraint is obtained for the product of the axion–photon coupling constant and the axion mass:|gAγ × mA| ≤ 6.3 × 10 -17 In the framework of the hadronic-axion model, this corresponds to a new axion-mass constraint of mA ≤ 12.7 eV at 95% C.L.

A setup for measuring natural-radioactivity backgrounds and ultralow concentrations of the isotope 14C in samples of a liquid organic scintillator was created at the low-background laboratory of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences) at a depth of 4900 mwe. The concentration of the radiocarbon 14C in a sample of a scintillator based on domestically produced linear alkylbenzene was measured, and it was found that 14C/12C (3.3 ± 0.5) × 10−17.

At the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow) deployed in the Caucasus mountains, it is proposed to create, at a depth corresponding to 4760 mwe, a large-volume neutrino detector on the basis of a liquid scintillator with a target mass of 10 kt. The detector in question is intended for recording natural fluxes of neutrinos whose energy may be as low as 100MeV. Neutrino fluxes from various sources are considered in the present study, and the expected effect in the proposed detector is estimated. The detector hat is being developed at the Baksan Neutrino Observatorywill become part of the world network of neutrino detectors for studying natural neutrino fluxes.

Features of a thermal neutron test detector with thin scintillator [ZnS(Ag)+6LiF] are described. Background of the detector and its registration efficiency were defined as a result of measurements. The thermal neutron flux at different locations, and for different conditions around the Baksan Neutrino Observatory are reported.

The results of investigation of 127Xe radioactive isotope production in the xenon sample enriched in 124Xe, 126Xe, 128Xe are presented. The isotope is supposed to be the source of the background events in the low-background experiment on search for 2K-capture of 124Xe. In this work we consider two channels of 127Xe production: the neutron knock-out from 128Xe nucleus by cosmogenic muons and the neutron capture by 126Xe nucleus. For the first channel the upper limit of the cross section of 127Xe production was found to be σ ≤ 0.007 × 10−24 cm2 at 95% C.L. For the second channel the value obtained for the cross section was found to be equal to σ = (2.74 ± 0.4) × 10−24 cm2, which coincides well, within the statistical error, with reference value.

The results of a search for two neutrino mode of double K-capture of 124Xe using a large copper low-background proportional counter are presented. Data collected during 3220 hours of measurements with 58.6 g of 124Xe provides us to a new limit on the half-life of 124Xe regarding 2K-capture at the level: T1/2 ≥ 2.0 × 1021 years at a 90% confidence level.

We report on the study of thermal neutron flux using monitors based on mixture of ZnS(Ag) and LiF enriched with a lithium-6 isotope at the deep underground laboratory DULB-4900 at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory. An annual modulation of thermal neutron flux in DULB-4900 is observed. Experimental evidences were obtained of correlation between the long-term thermal neutron flux variations and the absolute humidity of the air in laboratory. The amplitude of the modulation exceed 5% of total neutron flux.

The brief description of installation TAU-2 intended for long-term monitoring of the half-life value $\tau$ ($\tau_{1/2}$) of the $^{214}$Po is presented. The methods of measurement and processing of collected data are reported. The results of analysis of time series values $\tau$ with different time step are presented. Total of measurement time was equal to 590 days. Averaged value of the $^{214}$Po half-life was obtained $\tau=163.46\pm0.04$ $\mu$s. The annual variation with an amplitude $A=(8.9\pm2.3)\cdot10^{-4}$, solar-daily variation with an amplitude $A_{So}=(7.5\pm1.2)\cdot10^{-4}$, lunar-daily variation with an amplitude $A_L=(6.9\pm2.0)\cdot10^{-4}$ and sidereal-daily variation with an amplitude $A_S=(7.2\pm1.2)\cdot10^{-4}$ were found in a series of $\tau$ values. The maximal values of amplitude are observed at the moments when the projections of the installation Earth location velocity vectors toward the source of possible variation achieve its maximal magnitudes., Comment: Talk at The International Workshop on Prospects of Particle Physics: "Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics" February 1 - Ferbuary 8, 2015, Valday,Russia, 7 pages, 12 figure (to be published in PEPAN)

Axions with the energy of $$9.4$$ keV emitted in the М1 transition in 83Kr nuclei in the Sun have been searched for using the resonant absorption reaction $$A + \,{{\,}^{{83}}}{\kern 1pt} {\text{Kr}} \to \,{{\,}^{{83}}}{\text{K}}{{{\text{r}}}^{ \star }} \to \,{{\,}^{{83}}}{\kern 1pt} {\text{Kr}} + \gamma ,e$$ (9.4 keV). A krypton-filled proportional counter located in a low-background setup is used to detect $$\gamma $$ rays and electrons. A new limit on the axion–nucleon coupling constant $$\left| {g_{{AN}}^{3} - g_{{AN}}^{0}} \right| \leqslant 8.4 \times {{10}^{{ - 7}}}$$ is obtained. In the hadronic axion model, it leads to a new limit on the axion mass $${{m}_{A}} \leqslant 65$$ eV (95% CL). A possibility of searching for solar axions with 57Fe-containing semiconductor crystals is described.

Axions with energies of 9.4 keV putatively produced in the Sun via an M1-transition in the 83Kr nucleus are searched for using the reaction of resonant absorption: A +83Kr →83Kr* →83Kr + γ, e (9.4 keV). The γ-quanta and electrons are detected with a proportional counter filled with krypton and placed in a low-background setup. A new upper limit on the axion–nucleon coupling constant is imposed: |g AN 3 g AN 0 |≤1.02 106. For the hadronic axion, this implies a new upper limit on the axion mass: m A ≤ 79eV at the 95% confidence level.

The technique used in the experiment in the search for the process of 2K2ν-capture in 124Xe using large high-pressure proportional counters is briefly described. The measurements with a xenon sample enriched to 21% (or ~57 g) of the 124Xe isotope carried out for 3340 hours yielded a zero signal. The resultant upper limit on the 124Xe half-life with respect to the 2ν-mode of the nuclear capture of two K-shell electrons amounts to T 1/2>4.6 1021 yr at the 90% confidence level.

The detectors based on the liquid scintillator (LS) monitored by an array of photo-multiplier tubes (PMT) are often used in low energy experiments such as neutrino oscillation studies and search for dark matter. Detectors of this kind operate in an energy range spanning from hundreds of keV to a few GeV providing a few percent resolution at energies above 1 MeV and allowing to observe fine spectral features. This article gives a brief overview of relevant physical processes and introduces a new universal simulation tool LSMC (Liquid Scintillator Monte Carlo) for simulation of LS-based detectors equipped with PMT arrays. This tool is based on the Geant4 framework and provides supplementing functionality for ease of configuration and comprehensive output. The usage of LSMC is illustrated by modeling and optimization of a compact detector prototype currently being built at Baksan Neutrino Observatory.

Recently (2018), the discovery of tectonic aerosol as a new indicator of the Earth compression/expansion deformation was made by comparing the data of backscattering lidar and laser interferometer-strainmeter. The seasonal and diurnal and semi-diurnal deformations were observed by both instruments. Actually, the novel indicator of the Earth’s activity gives additional potential for detecting earthquake precursors because highly volatile gases (hydrogen, helium, methane, carbon dioxide etc.) transport the tectonic aerosol not only from the crust but also from the mantle of Earth.

At the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow) deployed in the Caucasus mountains, it is proposed to create, at a depth corresponding to about 4700 mwe (meter water equivalent), a large-volume neutrino detector on the basis of a liquid scintillator with a target mass of 10 kt. This article describes the current state of the first stage of the project, namely a prototype detector with a scintillator mass of 0.5 t. The design of the detector, the equipment and methods used are described.

Resonance excitation of the 83Kr first nuclear level (E = 9.4 keV) by solar axions formed via the Primakoff mechanism and via an M1-transition in the 83Kr nucleus in the Sun is searched. The γ-and x-ray photons and the conversion and Auger electrons arising from the excited-level relaxation are detected with a proportional counter in the underground low-background facility of Baksan Neutrino Observatory. The following experimental constraint is obtained for the product of the axion-photon coupling constant and the axion mass: |g Aγ m A | ≼ 6.16 × 10−17. In the framework of the hadronic-axion model, this corresponds to a new axion-mass constraint of mA ≼ 12.6 eV at 95% coincidence level (C.L.). In case of pure hadronic interaction the upper limit for axion-nucleon coupling is | g AN 3 − g AN 0 | ≼ 8.3 × 10−7 at 95% C.L., which corresponds to upper limit for hadrionic axion mass: mA ≼ 64 eV at 95% C.L. with the generally accepted values S = 0.5 and z = 0.56.

The study of low-yield effects requires not only good quality of the original data but also puts high requirements for their processing procedures to increase the efficiency of the selection of useful events. The exploiting of the large cylindrical proportional counter’s electrostatic topology allows improving the extrapolation of information about the primary ionization of a multipoint event. Long-term calibration measurements with an external 109Cd-source allowed the development of a new method for analyzing the pulse shape from a sizeable proportional counter. Optimized analysis of the current’s pulse shape from the electron cloud of primary ionization in the counter improved the resolution and energy calibration. As a result, the efficiency of selecting useful events was increased by 25%.

An experimental technique for searching for the 2K capture in 124Xe with a large low-background copper proportional counter is described. Such an experiment is conducted at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The experimental setup is located in the Low-Background Deep-Level Laboratory at a depth of 4900 m.w.e., where the flux of muons of cosmic rays is suppressed by a factor of 107 relative to that at the Earth’s surface. The setup incorporates a proportional counter and low-background shielding (18 cm of copper, 15 cm of lead, and 8 cm of borated polyethylene). The results of processing the data obtained in 5 months of live measurement time are presented. A new limit on the half-life of 124Xe with respect to the 2K capture is set at the level of 2.5 × 1021 years.