The assessment of the absolute ν mass scale is a crucial challenge in today’s particle physics and cosmology. The only experimental method which can provide a model-independent measurement is the investigation of endpoint distortion in beta/electron capture spectra. 163Ho is a good choice thanks to its low electron capture Q value (about 2.8 keV), the proximity of the end-point to resonance M1 and its half-life (4570 years). The HOLMES experiment will exploit a calorimetric measurement of 163Ho decay spectrum deploying a large set of cryogenic micro-calorimeters containing implanted 163Ho. In order to get the best experimental sensitivity, it is crucial to combine high activity with very small undetected pileup contribution. Therefore, the main tasks of the experiment consist of: the development of about 1000 fast (3 μs time resolution) cryogenic micro-calorimeters characterized by extraordinary energy resolution (down to few eV); the embedding of 163Ho source inside the calorimeters, avoiding to spoil detectors’ thermodynamical properties (mainly heat capacity) and preventing pileup issues. Moreover, it is also necessary to avoid contamination from other radionuclides, mainly 166mHo. Finally, an efficient high-bandwidth multiplexed readout has to be developed. The commissioning of the first implanted array is currently ongoing; the first data acquisition is expected to start in fall 2022. Here, the status of the experiment and the first results of detector commissioning will be discussed.
De Gerone, M., Alpert, B., Balata, M., Becker, D., Bennett, D., Bevilacqua, A., et al. (2022). Status of the HOLMES Experiment. JOURNAL OF LOW TEMPERATURE PHYSICS, 209(5-6), 980-987 [10.1007/s10909-022-02895-6].
Status of the HOLMES Experiment
Borghesi M.;Faverzani M.;Ferri E.;Giachero A.;Nucciotti A.;Pessina G.;Ragazzi S.;
2022
Abstract
The assessment of the absolute ν mass scale is a crucial challenge in today’s particle physics and cosmology. The only experimental method which can provide a model-independent measurement is the investigation of endpoint distortion in beta/electron capture spectra. 163Ho is a good choice thanks to its low electron capture Q value (about 2.8 keV), the proximity of the end-point to resonance M1 and its half-life (4570 years). The HOLMES experiment will exploit a calorimetric measurement of 163Ho decay spectrum deploying a large set of cryogenic micro-calorimeters containing implanted 163Ho. In order to get the best experimental sensitivity, it is crucial to combine high activity with very small undetected pileup contribution. Therefore, the main tasks of the experiment consist of: the development of about 1000 fast (3 μs time resolution) cryogenic micro-calorimeters characterized by extraordinary energy resolution (down to few eV); the embedding of 163Ho source inside the calorimeters, avoiding to spoil detectors’ thermodynamical properties (mainly heat capacity) and preventing pileup issues. Moreover, it is also necessary to avoid contamination from other radionuclides, mainly 166mHo. Finally, an efficient high-bandwidth multiplexed readout has to be developed. The commissioning of the first implanted array is currently ongoing; the first data acquisition is expected to start in fall 2022. Here, the status of the experiment and the first results of detector commissioning will be discussed.
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