Speaker
Summary
SuperNEMO is a next-generation double beta decay experiment
based on the successful tracking plus calorimetry technology
of the NEMO-3 experiment currently running in the Modane
Underground Laboratory. Due to the separation
of source and detector, SuperNEMO can study a range
of isotopes. The baseline isotope choice is 82Se and possibly 150Nd.
The total isotope mass will be in the range 100-200 kg. With this
isotope mass a sensitivity to a half-life greater 10**26 years
can be reached which gives access to Majorana neutrino masses
of 50-100 meV. One of the main challenges of the SuperNEMO project
is the development of the calorimeter with an unprecedented energy
resolution and radio-purity. The collaboration is carrying out a broad
R&D programme focusing on the development of liquid and solid
scintillators and ultralow-radioactive highly efficient photo-detectors
in parallel. Extensive laboratory measurements are complemented by
most up-to-date Monte Carlo optical simulations using GEANT4.
The results obtained so far will be presented. SuperNEMO sensitivity
dependence on the calorimeter parameters such as energy and time
resolution, radio-purity, ageing etc. will be discussed.
