Investigation of space-charge effects in gaseous tritium as a source of distortions of the beta spectrum observed in the Troitsk neutrino-mass experiment

• Published in: Physics of atomic nuclei Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 427 - 436
• Main Authors: Belesev, A. I., Geraskin, E. V., Zhuikov, B. L., Zadorozhny, S. V., Kazachenko, O. V., Kohanuk, V. M., Lihovid, N. A., Lobashev, V. M., Nozik, A. A., Parfenov, V. I., Skasyrskaya, A. K., Sudachkov, E. A., Titiov, N. A., Usanov, V. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.03.2008
• Subjects: BETA SPECTRA; BUILDUP; CONVERSION; ELECTRONS; FLUCTUATIONS; KRYPTON 83; NEGATIVE MASS; NEUTRINOS; NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; Nuclei; Particle and Nuclear Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; POTENTIALS; REST MASS; SPACE CHARGE; TRITIUM; 23.40.-s
• ISSN: 1063-7788; 1562-692X
• DOI: 10.1134/S1063778808030046

Results of searches for effects of space-charge accumulation in the gaseous tritium source in the Troitsk neutrino-mass experiment are presented. The broadening and the shift of the L 3 line of conversion electrons in a 83 m Kr gaseous source circulating together with tritium was investigated. The attained limit on the magnitude of fluctuations of the space-charge potential makes it possible to set a limit on the negative neutrino mass squared in the Troitsk neutrino-mass experiment (−0.8 < Δ m ν 2 ≤ 0 eV 2 ), a spurious effect associated with this potential. A statistically reliable shift of the position of the L 3 line is discovered. This indicates that processes of of space-charge accumulation do indeed proceed in the source at a level that is significant for the future experiment Katrin.