Search

Neutrinoless double-beta ( 0 ν β β ) decay is a hypothetical rare nuclear transition ( T 1 / 2 > 10 25 – 10 26 year). Its observation would provide an important insight into the nature of neutrinos (Dirac or Majorana particle) demonstrating that the lepton number is not conserved. This decay can be investigated with bolometers embedding the double-beta decay isotope ( 76 Ge , 82 Se , 100 Mo , 116 Cd , 130 Te ...), which perform as low-temperature calorimeters (few tens of mK) detecting particle interactions via a small temperature rise read out by a dedicated thermometer. Cryogenic Rare-event Observatory with Surface Sensitivity (CROSS) aims at the development of bolometric detectors (based on Li 2 MoO 4 and TeO 2 crystals) capable of discriminating surface α and β interactions by exploiting superconducting properties of Al film deposited on the detector surface. We report in this paper the results of tests on prototypes performed at CSNSM (Orsay, France) that showed the capability of a-few- μ m -thick superconducting Al film deposited on crystal surface to discriminate surface α from bulk events, thus providing the detector with the required pulse shape discrimination capability. The CROSS technology would further improve the background suppression and simplify the detector construction (no auxiliary light detector is needed to reject alpha surface events) with a view to future competitive double-beta decay searches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Closure of huge alveolar cleft surrounded by fully erupted permanent dentition in the adult patients with cleft is a challenge. In such cases, bone graft exposure due to inadequate soft-tissue coverage is the main cause of graft failure. Objective: To present the feasibility of reconstructing large alveolar cleft with a pedicled osteomyocutaneous submental flap. Methods: Two 19- and 26-year-old men with large alveolar cleft are presented. The younger patient had a history of alveolar graft failure due to bone graft exposure. A pedicled osteomyocutaneous submental island flap was used to reconstruct the defect. An inferior marginal mandibular bone section was incorporated with the flap and fixed by miniplate and screws. Results: The results were satisfactory in both patients who underwent surgery, according to the criteria for coverage of the defect, aesthetics and functionality. Conclusion: This is the first case report of an osteomyocutaneous submental flap for reconstruction of huge alveolar clefts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Random coincidences of events could be one of the main sources of background in the search for neutrino-less double-beta decay of 100 Mo with macro-bolometers, due to their modest time resolution. Scintillating bolometers as those based on Li 2 MoO 4 crystals and employed in the CROSS and CUPID experiments can eventually exploit the coincident fast signal detected in a light detector to reduce this background. However, the scintillation provides a modest signal-to-noise ratio, making difficult a pile-up pulse-shape recognition and rejection at timescales shorter than a few ms. Neganov–Trofimov–Luke assisted light detectors (NTL-LDs) offer the possibility to effectively increase the signal-to-noise ratio, preserving a fast time-response, and enhance the capability of pile-up rejection via pulse shape analysis. In this article we present: (a) an experimental work performed with a Li 2 MoO 4 scintillating bolometer, studied in the framework of the CROSS experiment, and utilizing a NTL-LD; (b) a simulation method to reproduce, synthetically, randomly coincident two-neutrino double-beta decay events; (c) a new analysis method based on a pulse-shape discrimination algorithm capable of providing high pile-up rejection efficiencies. We finally show how the NTL-LDs offer a balanced solution between performance and complexity to reach background index ∼ 10 - 4 counts/keV/kg/year with 280 g Li 2 MoO 4 ( 100 Mo enriched) bolometers at 3034 keV, the Q β β of the double-beta decay, and target the goal of a next generation experiment like CUPID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phonon-mediated particle detectors based on single crystals and operated at millikelvin temperatures are used in rare-event experiments for neutrino physics and dark-matter searches. In general, these devices are not sensitive to the particle impact point, especially if the detection is mediated by thermal phonons. In this Letter, we demonstrate that excellent discrimination between interior and surface β and α events can be achieved by coating a crystal face with a thin metallic film, either continuous or in the form of a grid. The coating affects the phonon energy downconversion cascade that follows the particle interaction, leading to a modified signal shape for close-to-film events. An efficient identification of surface events was demonstrated with detectors based on a rectangular 20 × 20 × 10 mm3 Li2MoO4 crystal coated with a Pd normal-metal film (10 nm thick) and with Al–Pd superconductive bi-layers (100 nm-10 nm thick) on a 20 × 20 mm2 face. Discrimination capabilities were tested with 238U sources emitting both α and β particles. Surface events are identified for energy depositions down to millimeter-scale depths from the coated surface. With this technology, a substantial reduction of the background level can be achieved in experiments searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large cylindrical cadmium molybdate crystal with natural isotopic abundance has been used to fabricate a scintillating bolometer. The measurement was performed above ground at milli-Kelvin temperature, with simultaneous readout of the heat and the scintillation light. The energy resolution as FWHM has achieved from 5 keV (at 238 keV) to 13 keV (at 2615 keV). We present the results of the α versus β / γ events discrimination. The low internal trace contamination of the CdMoO 4 crystal was evaluated as well. The detector performance with preliminary positive indications proves that cadmium molybdate crystal is a promising absorber for neutrinoless double beta decay scintillating bolometric experiments with 116Cd and 100Mo nuclides in the next-generation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]