Ton-scale Xenon Gas TPC for $0\nu \beta \beta$ Search at Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract

We explore aspects of an unorthodox ton-scale xenon gas time projection chamber detector operated at normal temperature and pressure (NTP), designed for $0\nu \beta \beta$ discovery at $\sim 10^{27}$ year sensitivity. At fixed active mass, a greater transparency to $\gamma$-ray backgrounds and better track clarity exists at NTP relative to higher density. Operation at NTP also alleviates difficulties with pressure containment and significantly reduces HV requirements. With metre-scale electron tracks at a few MeV, event topology can be used to efficiently reject the copious $\gamma$-ray backgrounds by factors ranging from 550--1200, largely compensating for the greater surface area of the detector. Event topology is captured from anode plane signals combined with sensing the secondary ion component arriving at the cathode plane. A molecular gas additive limits diffusion of the secondary electron tracks to below a cm and provides stable proportional avalanche gain. An energy resolution $\delta$E/E $\le$ 1\% FWHM seems possible. A 100 kg scale demonstrator for this detector technology could lead directly to a ton-scale search.

38 pages, 10 figures