High voltage testing for the MAJORANA Demonstrator

Abstract

The MAJORANA Collaboration is constructing the MAJORANA Demonstrator, an ultra-low background, 44-kg modular high-purity Ge (HPGe) detector array to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in Ge-76. The phenomenon of surface micro-discharge induced by high-voltage has been studied in the context of the MAJORANA Demonstrator. This effect can damage the front-end electronics or mimic detector signals. To ensure the correct performance, every high-voltage cable and feedthrough must be capable of supplying HPGe detector operating voltages as high as 5 kV without exhibiting discharge. R&D measurements were carried out to understand the testing system and determine the optimum design configuration of the high-voltage path, including different improvements of the cable layout and feedthrough flange model selection. Every cable and feedthrough to be used at the MAJORANA Demonstrator was characterized and the micro-discharge effects during the MAJORANA Demonstrator commissioning phase were studied. A stable configuration has been achieved, and the cables and connectors can supply HPGe detector operating voltages without exhibiting discharge.

9 pages, 12 figures, 8 tables, submitted to NIM A

References in corpus (6)

• Double Beta Decay, Majorana Neutrinos, and Neutrino Mass
• Theory of neutrinoless double beta decay
• Large-Mass Ultra-Low Noise Germanium Detectors: Performance and Applications in Neutrino and Astroparticle Physics
• Double Beta Decay
• Neutrino masses and mixings
• On the Possibilities of Distinguishing Dirac from Majorana Neutrinos

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Search for Zero-Neutrino Double Beta Decay in 76Ge with the Majorana Demonstrator
• Final Result of the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR's Search for Neutrinoless Double-$\beta$ Decay in ${}^{76}$Ge
• Identification of Radiopure Titanium for the LZ Dark Matter Experiment and Future Rare Event Searches
• The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Readout Electronics System
• Low Background Materials and Fabrication Techniques for Cables and Connectors in the Majorana Demonstrator
• An assay-based background projection for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR using Monte Carlo Uncertainty Propagation