Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with Germanium Detectors: 10${}^{26}$ yr and Beyond

Abstract

In the global landscape of neutrinoless double beta ($0\hat{I}½{\hat{I}}^2{\hat{I}}^2$) decay search, the use of semiconductor germanium detectors provides many advantages. The excellent energy resolution, the negligible intrinsic radioactive contamination, the possibility of enriching the crystals up to 88% in the ${}^{76}$Ge isotope as well as the high detection efficiency, are all key ingredients for highly sensitive $0\hat{I}½{\hat{I}}^2{\hat{I}}^2$ decay search. The MAJORANA and GERDA experiments successfully implemented the use of germanium (Ge) semiconductor detectors, reaching an energy resolution of $2.53\pm 0.08$ keV at the Q${}_{{\hat{I}}^2{\hat{I}}^2}$ and an unprecedented low background level of $5.2\times 10^{-4}$ cts/(keV$\cdot$kg$\cdot$yr), respectively. In this paper, we will review the path of $0\hat{I}½{\hat{I}}^2{\hat{I}}^2$ decay search with Ge detectors from the original idea of E. Fiorini et al. in 1967, to the final recent results of the GERDA experiment setting a limit on the half-life of ${}^{76}$Ge $0\hat{I}½{\hat{I}}^2{\hat{I}}^2$ decay at $T_{1/2}>1.8\times 10^{26}$ yr (90\% C.L.). We will then present the LEGEND project designed to reach a sensitivity to the half-life up to $10^{28}$ yr and beyond, opening the way to the exploration of the normal ordering region.

28 pages, 15 figures