The search for majoron emission in xenon-136 and two-neutrino double-beta decay of xenon-134 with the Enriched Xenon Observatory

Walton, Josiah

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90471 Copy

Description

Title

The search for majoron emission in xenon-136 and two-neutrino double-beta decay of xenon-134 with the Enriched Xenon Observatory

Author(s)

Walton, Josiah

Issue Date

2016-02-17

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Yang, Liang

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Stack, John

Committee Member(s)

• Peng, Jen-Chieh
• Eckstein, James

Department of Study

Physics

Discipline

Physics

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• neutrinoless double-beta decay
• majoron
• liquid xenon

Abstract

Despite neutrino oscillation experiments firmly establishing neutrinos have non-zero mass, the absolute mass scale is unknown. Moreover, it's unknown whether the neutrino is distinguishable from its antiparticle. The most promising approach for measuring the neutrino mass scale and answering the issue of neutrino-antineutrino distinguishability is by searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay, a very rare theorized process not allowed under the current theoretical framework of particle physics. Positive observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay would usher in a revolution in particle physics, since it would determine the neutrino mass scale, establish that neutrinos and antineutrinos are indistinguishable, and that the particle physics conservation law of total lepton number is violated in nature. The latter two consequences are particularly salient, as they lead to potential explanations of neutrino mass generation and the observed large asymmetry of matter over antimatter in the universe. The Enriched Xenon Observatory (EXO-200) is an international collaboration searching for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of the isotope 136Xe. EXO-200 operates a unique world-class low-radioactivity detector containing 110 kg of liquified xenon isotopically enriched to 80.6% in 136Xe. Recently, EXO-200 published the most precise two-neutrino double-beta decay half-life ever measured and one of the strongest limits on the half-life of the neutrinoless double-beta decay mode of 136Xe. This work presents an improved experimental search for the majoron-mediated neutrinoless double-beta decay modes of 136Xe and a novel search for the yet unobserved two neutrino double-beta decay of 134Xe.

Graduation Semester

2016-05

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90471

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2016 Josiah Walton

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