Status and applications of cryogenic detectors

An overview of the actual technical status and achievements of different types of cryogenic detectors is given. Typical applications in several fields are discussed with emphasis put on appropriate nuclear experiments for the planned Princeton facility. The possibility of implementation in low temperature nuclear orientation experiments will be explored.     

Cryogenic micro-calorimeters for beta spectroscopy: A status report

Status of efforts to develop a cryogenic micro-calorimeter as a beta spectrometer for 17 keV neutrino searches is given. Experimental requirements are derived. Using NTD germanium thermometry, adequate detector performance (1.5 keV resolution at a base temperature of 130 mK) is demonstrated. Exploration of source deposition and encapsulation is underway.     

Search for parity and time reversal violations in hindered gamma-decay

We discuss various possibilities to improve the sensitivity of parity and time reversal asymmetry measurements in gamma decaying nuclei. We compare the best known parity violating case^180mHf to a similar isotope^178mHf. Although the parity violation may not be as large, the 178 isomer is better suited to eliminate experimental systematic problems. We introduce a new detector to enhance the sensitivity of such measurements. Our first experiments indicate applicability of these detectors to P symmetry tests.     

Search for finite-mass neutrinos in the decay π+→μ+vμ

If neutrinos possess non-zero mass, pion decay might have small decay branches to neutrino states with large masses. We have searched for such branches in the decay of pions produced at the Indiana University Cyclotron. The energy spectrum of decay muons shows no evidence for such neutrino branches and if these decays do exist, their branching ratios must be less than 10^?2 to 10^?3 for neutrino masses in the ranFge 7–33 MeV.     

First evidence of pep solar neutrinos by direct detection in Borexino

We observed, for the first time, solar neutrinos in the 1.0-1.5 MeV energy range. We determined the rate of pep solar neutrino interactions in Borexino to be 3.1±0.6{stat}±0.3{syst} counts/(day·100 ton). Assuming the pep neutrino flux predicted by the standard solar model, we obtained a constraint on the CNO solar neutrino interaction rate of <7.9 counts/(day·100 ton) (95% C.L.). The absence of the solar neutrino signal is disfavored at 99.97% C.L., while the absence of the pep signal is disfavored at 98% C.L. The necessary sensitivity was achieved by adopting data analysis techniques for the rejection of cosmogenic {11}C, the dominant background in the 1-2 MeV region. Assuming the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein large mixing angle solution to solar neutrino oscillations, these values correspond to solar neutrino fluxes of (1.6±0.3)×10{8} cm{-2}?s^{-1} and <7.7×10{8} cm{-2}?s{-1} (95% C.L.), respectively, in agreement with both the high and low metallicity standard solar models. These results represent the first direct evidence of the pep neutrino signal and the strongest constraint of the CNO solar neutrino flux to date.