Isotopic Measurements for MAJORANA
EMSL Project ID
43992
Abstract
The current focal point of PNNL's nuclear physics program is the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, and the follow-on 1-tonne scale experiment, a large array of ultra-low background high-purity germanium detectors, enriched in 76Ge, designed to search for zero-neutrino double-beta decay. This experiment requires the use of germanium isotopically enriched in 76Ge. The DEMONSTRATOR will utilize 76Ge from Russia, but for the 1-tonne experiment it is hoped that an alternate technology under development at Nonlinear Ion Dynamics (NID) will be a viable, US-based, lower-cost source of separated material. Samples of separated material from both Russia and NID require analysis to determine the isotopic distribution. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is a DOE and NSF funded project with a major science impact. DOE is funding NID for development of their separation technology for application to the 1-tonne experiment. EMSL has the required mass spectroscopy instruments for making these isotopic measurements that are essential to the quality assurance for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR and for the development of the future separation technology required for the 1-tonne experiment. We propose to use EMSL facilities in FY10-FY13 to make 1) quality assurance measurements of delivered 76Ge samples, and 2) measurements required for development of new 76Ge separation technology.
Project Details
Start Date
2011-04-25
End Date
2012-04-29
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
PNNL Technical Report PNNL-20368