Feasibility study for an investigation of the neutrino rest mass through high resolution spectroscopy of the external bremsstrahlung from tritium decay

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment Vol. 274; no. 3; pp. 507 - 514
• Main Authors: Borchert, G.L., Gotta, D., Koch, H.R., Salziger, R., Probst, H.J., Schult, O.W.B., Lässer, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.01.1989
• ISSN: 0168-9002; 1872-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-9002(89)90182-4

In a feasibility study we have investigated which upper limit might be measurable for the mass of the electron antineutrino through high-resolution spectroscopy of the external bremsstrahlung from β-decay of tritium. Various sources are considered to obtain high luminosity. A description is given of the fabrication of a 900 Ci NbT0.4 source. The design data of a curved crystal spectrometer are discussed, including aberration, in order to achieve high intensity in the spectrograph mode, aiming at a resolution of 20 eV. The expected bremsstrahlung spectrum has been calculated and compared with a spectrum measured with a Si(Li) spectrometer with the use of the Nb tritium source. This method yields an upper limit of ∼ 100 eV for mν.