Production and characterization of a PbMoO${}_4$ cryogenic detector from archaeological Pb

Abstract

We operated a PbMoO${}_4$ scintillating cryogenic detector of 570 g, produced with archaeological lead. This compound features excellent low temperature characteristics in terms of light yield, 12 keV/MeV for $\beta /\gamma$ interactions, and FWHM energy resolution, 11.7 keV at 2.6 MeV. Furthermore, the detector allows for an effective particle identification by means of pulse shape analysis on the heat read-out channel. The implementation of innovative techniques and procedures for the purification of raw materials used for the crystal growth, and the highly-pure archaeological Pb, allowed the production of large volume high quality crystal. The overall characteristics of the detector operated at cryogenic temperatures makes PbMoO${}_4$ an excellent compound for neutrino physics applications, especially neutrinoless double-beta studies.