C. Romo-Luque
A5001182762- Neutrino Physics Research
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics
- Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
- Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
- Muon and positron interactions and applications
- Gyrotron and Vacuum Electronics Research
- Photocathodes and Microchannel Plates
- Inorganic Fluorides and Related Compounds
- Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
- Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies
- CCD and CMOS Imaging Sensors
- Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Laser Design and Applications
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
Instituto de Física Corpuscular
2018-2024
Universitat de València
2018-2024
Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular
2023
Universitat Politècnica de València
2023
Universidad de Zaragoza
2023
Weizmann Institute of Science
2023
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
2023
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
2023
University of Aveiro
2022
Israel Atomic Energy Commission
2020
A bstract The Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC (NEXT) searches for the neutrinoless double-beta (0 νββ ) decay of 136 Xe using high-pressure xenon gas TPCs electroluminescent amplification. scaled-up version this technology about 1 tonne enriched could reach in less than 5 years operation sensitivity to half-life 0 better 10 27 years, improving current limits by at least one order magnitude. This prediction is based on well-understood background model dominated radiogenic sources....
Conceived to host 5 kg of xenon at a pressure 15 bar in the fiducial volume, NEXT- White (NEW) apparatus is currently largest high gas TPC using electroluminescent amplification world. It also 1:2 scale model NEXT-100 detector scheduled start searching for $\beta\beta 0\nu$ decays 136Xe 2019. Both detectors measure energy event plane photomultipliers located behind transparent cathode. They can reconstruct trajectories charged tracks dense with help silicon anode. A sophisticated system,...
We report a measurement of the half-life 136Xe two-neutrino double-β decay performed with novel direct-background-subtraction technique. The analysis relies on data collected NEXT-White detector operated 136Xe-enriched and 136Xe-depleted xenon, as well topology double-electron tracks. With fiducial mass only 3.5 kg Xe, 2.34+0.80−0.46(stat)+0.30−0.17(sys)×1021yr is derived from background-subtracted energy spectrum. presented technique demonstrates feasibility unique...
We present evidence of non-excimer-based secondary scintillation in gaseous xenon, obtained using both the NEXT-White TPC and a dedicated setup. Detailed comparison with first-principle calculations allows us to assign this mechanism neutral bremsstrahlung (NBrS), process that has been postulated exist xenon largely overlooked. For photon emission below 1000 nm, NBrS yield increases from about 10$^{-2}$ photon/e$^{-}$ cm$^{-1}$ bar$^{-1}$ at pressure-reduced electric field values 50 V above...
The NEXT-White (NEW) detector is currently the largest radio-pure high-pressure xenon gas time projection chamber with electroluminescent readout in world. It has been operating at Laboratorio Subterr'aneo de Canfranc (LSC) since October 2016. This paper describes calibrations performed using 83mKr decays during a long run taken from March to November 2017 (Run II). Krypton are used correct for finite drift-electron lifetime as well dependence of measured energy on event transverse position...
A bstract Excellent energy resolution is one of the primary advantages electroluminescent high-pressure xenon TPCs. These detectors are promising tools in searching for rare physics events, such as neutrinoless double-beta decay ( ββ 0 ν ), which require precise measurements. Using NEXT-White detector, developed by NEXT (Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC) collaboration, we show first time that an 1% FWHM can be achieved at 2.6 MeV, establishing present technology best all searches.
If neutrinoless double beta decay is discovered, the next natural step would be understanding lepton number violating physics responsible for it. Several alternatives exist beyond exchange of light neutrinos. Some these mechanisms can distinguished by measuring phase-space observables, namely opening angle $\cos\theta$ among two electrons, and electron energy spectra, $T_1$ $T_2$. In this work, we study statistical accuracy precision in kinematic observables a future xenon gas detector with...
We investigate the performance of Opticks, an NVIDIA OptiX API 7.5 GPU-accelerated photon propagation compared with a single-threaded Geant4 simulation. compare simulations using improved model NEXT-CRAB-0 gaseous time projection chamber. Performance results suggest that Opticks improves simulation speeds by between $58.47\pm{0.02}$ and $181.39\pm{0.28}$ times relative to CPU-only these vary different types GPU CPU. A detailed comparison shows number detected photons, along their...
If neutrinos are their own antiparticles the otherwise-forbidden nuclear reaction known as neutrinoless double beta decay can occur. The very long lifetime expected for these exceptional events makes its detection a daunting task. In order to conduct an almost background-free experiment, NEXT collaboration is investigating novel synthetic molecular sensors that may capture Ba dication produced in of certain Xe isotopes high-pressure gas experiment. use such detectors immobilized on surfaces...
A bstract The measurement of the internal 222 Rn activity in NEXT-White detector during so-called Run-II period with 136 Xe-depleted xenon is discussed detail, together its implications for double beta decay searches NEXT. measured through alpha production rate induced fiducial volume by and alpha-emitting progeny. specific to be (38.1 ± 2.2 (stat.) 5.9 (syst.)) mBq/m 3 . Radon-induced electrons have also been characterized from 214 Bi daughter ions plating out on cathode time projection...
One of the major goals NEXT-White (NEW) detector is to demonstrate energy resolution that an electroluminescent high pressure xenon TPC can achieve for tracks. For this purpose, calibrations with 137Cs and 232Th sources have been carried out as a part long run taken during most 2017. This paper describes initial results obtained those calibrations, showing excellent linearity extrapolates approximately 1% FWHM at Qββ.
Gaseous time projection chambers (TPC) are a very attractive detector technology for particle tracking. Characterization of both drift velocity and diffusion is great importance to correctly assess their tracking capabilities.
A bstract Natural radioactivity represents one of the main backgrounds in search for neutrinoless double beta decay. Within NEXT physics program, radioactivity- induced are measured with NEXT-White detector. Data from 37.9 days low-background operations at Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc xenon depleted 136 Xe analyzed to derive a total background rate (0.84 ± 0.02) mHz above 1000 keV. The comparison data samples and without use radon abatement system demonstrates that contribution...
We report new measurements of the drift velocity and longitudinal diffusion coefficients electrons in pure xenon gas xenon-helium mixtures at 1-9 bar electric field strengths 50-300 V/cm. In we find excellent agreement with world data all E/P, for both coefficients. However, a larger value coefficient than theoretical predictions is found low E/P xenon, below range reduced fields usually probed by TPC experiments. A similar effect observed somewhat E/P. Drift velocities are to be...
A bstract The NEXT experiment aims at searching for the hypothetical neutrinoless double-beta decay from 136 Xe isotope using a high-purity xenon TPC. Efficient discrimination of events through pattern recognition topology primary ionisation tracks is major requirement experiment. However, it limited by diffusion electrons. It known that addition small fraction molecular gas to reduces electron diffusion. On other hand, electroluminescence (EL) yield drops and achievable energy resolution...
High pressure gas time projection chambers (HPGTPCs) are made with a variety of materials, many which still await proper characterization in high noble environments. As HPGTPCs increase size toward ton-scale detectors, assemblies become larger and more complex, creating need for detailed understanding how structural supports voltage insulators behave. This includes identification materials predictable mechanical properties without surface charge accumulation that may lead to field...
136 Xe is used as the target medium for many experiments searching 0νββ.Despite underground operation, cosmic muons that reach laboratory can produce spallation neutrons causing activation of detector materials.A potential background difficult to veto using muon tagging comes in form 137 created by capture on Xe.This isotope decays via beta decay with a half-life 3.8 minutes and Q β ∼4.16 MeV.This work proposes explores concept adding small percentage 3 He xenon means thermal reduce number...
A bstract Next-generation neutrinoless double beta decay experiments aim for half-life sensitivities of ∼ 10 27 yr, requiring suppressing backgrounds to < 1 count/tonne/yr. For this, any extra background rejection handle, beyond excellent energy resolution and the use extremely radiopure materials, is utmost importance. The NEXT experiment exploits differences in spatial ionization patterns single-electron events discriminate signal from background. While former display two Bragg peak...
Abstract Noble element time projection chambers are a leading technology for rare event detection in physics, such as dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay searches. Time typically assign position the drift direction using relative timing of prompt scintillation delayed charge collection signals, allowing reconstruction an absolute direction. In this paper, alternate methods assigning distance via quantification electron diffusion pure high pressure xenon gas chamber explored. Data...
A bstract In experiments searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay, the possibility of identifying two emitted electrons is a powerful tool in rejecting background events and therefore improving overall sensitivity experiment. this paper we present first measurement efficiency cut based on different event signatures double single electron tracks, using data NEXT-White detector, detector NEXT experiment operating underground. Using 228 Th calibration source to produce signal-like...
The Neutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC (NEXT) searches for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of Xe-136 using high-pressure xenon gas TPCs electroluminescent amplification. A scaled-up version this technology about 1 tonne enriched could reach in less than 5 years operation sensitivity to half-life better 1E27 years, improving current limits by at least one order magnitude. This prediction is based on well-understood background model dominated radiogenic sources. detector concept presented...
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is an excellent diffuse reflector widely used in light collection systems for particle physics experiments. However, the reflectance of PTFE a function its thickness. In this work, we investigate dependence air wavelengths 260 nm and 450 using two complementary methods. We find that thicknesses from 5 mm to 10 ranges 92.5% 94.5% at nm, 90.0% 92.0% nm. also see given thickness can vary by as much 2.7% within same piece material. Finally, show placing specular...