A search for double-β decay of osmium has been realized for the first time with the help of an ultra-low background HPGe γ detector at the underground Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN (Italy). After 2741 h of data taking with a 173 g ultra-pure osmium sample limits on double-β processes in 184Os have been established at the level of T 1/2 ∼ 1014-1014 y. Possible resonant double-electron captures in 184Os were searched for with a sensitivity of T 1/2 ∼ 1016 y. A half-life limit T 1/2≥5.3×1019 y was set for the double-β decay of 192Os to the first excited level of 192Pt . The radiopurity of the osmium sample has been investigated and radionuclides 137Cs , 185Os and 207Bi were detected in the sample, while activities of 40K , 60Co , 226Ra and 232Th were limited at the ≈ mBq/kg level.
Belli, P., Bernabei, R., Cappella, F., Cerulli, R., Danevich, F.a., D'Angelo, S., et al. (2013). First search for double-β decay of 184Os and 192Os. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. A, HADRONS AND NUCLEI, 49, 24-30 [10.1140/epja/i2013-13024-9].
First search for double-β decay of 184Os and 192Os
BERNABEI, RITA;D'ANGELO, SILIO;
2013-02-01
Abstract
A search for double-β decay of osmium has been realized for the first time with the help of an ultra-low background HPGe γ detector at the underground Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN (Italy). After 2741 h of data taking with a 173 g ultra-pure osmium sample limits on double-β processes in 184Os have been established at the level of T 1/2 ∼ 1014-1014 y. Possible resonant double-electron captures in 184Os were searched for with a sensitivity of T 1/2 ∼ 1016 y. A half-life limit T 1/2≥5.3×1019 y was set for the double-β decay of 192Os to the first excited level of 192Pt . The radiopurity of the osmium sample has been investigated and radionuclides 137Cs , 185Os and 207Bi were detected in the sample, while activities of 40K , 60Co , 226Ra and 232Th were limited at the ≈ mBq/kg level.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.