Simulation studies for source optimization in ${}^{96}$Zr $\beta$ decay

Abstract

The single $\beta$ decay of ${}^{96}$Zr to the ground state of ${}^{96}$Nb is spin forbidden and poses a great experimental challenge. The $\beta$ decay of ${}^{96}$Zr can be studied via coincident detection of de-exciting gamma rays in ${}^{96}$Mo, which is the end product of ${}^{96}$Nb $\beta$ decay. Simulations are done with four HPGe detector setup (~33% relative efficiency each) to optimize the source configuration. The results suggest that ~70g of 50% enriched ${}^{96}$Zr will yield sensitivity comparable to the reported results.

Presented at INFN SoUP 2021. 5 pages, LaTeX, 4 eps figures