Eurin, G; (2015) Search for the double-beta decay of 96Zr with the NEMO-3 detector and ultra-low radioactivity measurements for the SuperNEMO experiment using the BiPo-3 detector. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The double-β decay of Zr-96 was studied with data from NEMO-3, a unique experiment combining tracking and calorimetry. A total isotope mass of 9.4 g and a runtime of 5.25 y were available for this work. The half-life of the two-neutrino double-β decay of Zr-96 was measured to be T1/2(2ν2β) = 2.41 ± 0.11 (stat.) −0.18 +0.21 × 1019 y. A lower limit on the neutrinoless double-beta decay half-life was set at T1/2 (0ν2β) > 1.29 × 1022 y @ 90% C.L. corresponding to a limit on the effective neutrino mass of |mββ | < 3.8 - 12.1 eV @ 90% C.L.. A first limit was set with NEMO-3 data on the two-neutrino double-β decay to excited states half-life was set at T1/2 (2ν2β, 0+) > 5.85 × 1019 y @ 90% C.L.. SuperNEMO is the next-generation experiment based on NEMO-3 detection principle. The principle and the construction of the BiPo-3 detector for ultra-low contaminations are described. Developments of calibration procedures are exposed along with the validation of the Monte-Carlo simulations. The intrinsic background level has been proven acceptable for SuperNEMO isotopic source foils requirements. Measurements of the contamination of the first SuperNEMO source foils have been performed and the first results are very promising.

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