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Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:41:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:04:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / O Laboratório de Metrologia Nuclear (LMN) do Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN) desenvolveu recentemente o Sistema de Coincidência por Software (SCS), para a digitalização e registro dos sinais de seus sistemas de coincidências 4πβ-γ utilizados na padronização de radionuclídeos. O sistema SCS possui quatro entradas analógicas independentes que possibilitam o registro simultâneo dos sinais de até quatro detectores (vias β e γ). A análise dos dados é realizada a posteriori, por software, incluindo discriminação de amplitudes, simulação do tempo-morto da medida e definição do tempo de resolução de coincidências. O software então instalado junto ao SCS estabeleceu a metodologia básica de análise, aplicável a radionuclídeos com decaimento simples, como o 60Co. O presente trabalho amplia a metodologia de análise de dados obtidos com o SCS, de modo a possibilitar o uso de detectores com alta resolução em energia (HPGe), para padronização de radionuclídeos com decaimentos mais complexos, com diferentes ramos de decaimento ou com transições metaestáveis. A expansão metodológica tem suporte na elaboração do programa de análise denominado Coincidence Analyzing Task (CAT). A seção de aplicação inclui as padronizações do 152Eu (diferentes ramos de decaimento) e do 67Ga (nível metaestável). A padronização do 152Eu utilizou uma amostra de uma comparação internacional promovida pelo BIPM (Bureau International des Poids et Mesures), podendo-se comparar a atividade obtida com o valores de laboratórios mundialmente reconhecidos, de modo a avaliar e validar a metodologia desenvolvida. Para o 67Ga, foram obtidas: a meia-vida do nível metaestável de 93 keV, por três diferentes técnicas de análise do conjunto de dados (βpronto-γatrasado-HPGe, βpronto-γatrasado-NaI e βpronto- βatrasado); as atividades de cinco amostras, normalizadas por Monte Carlo e as probabilidades de emissão gama por decaimento, para nove transições. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

L’expérience SuperNEMO cherche à observer la double désintégration beta sans émission de neutrinos, uniquement possible si le neutrino est une particule de Majorana. Le premier module, aussi appelé démonstrateur, est en cours de construction au Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. Sa capacité à détecter les particules individuelles en plus d’en mesurer l’énergie en fait un détecteur unique. Le démonstrateur peut contenir 7 kg de ⁸²Se sous forme de fines feuilles source. Ces feuilles source sont entourées par une chambre à fils, permettant ainsi la reconstruction en 3 dimensions des traces de particules chargées. Un calorimètre segmenté, composé de scintillateurs plastiques couplés à des photomultiplicateurs, assure quant à lui la mesure de l’énergie de chaque particule. De plus, la chambre à fils peut être soumise à un champ magnétique afin d’identifier la charge des particules. SuperNEMO est donc capable d’effectuer la reconstruction complète de la cinématique d’un événement ainsi que d’identifier la nature des particules impliquées dans ce dernier : électrons, positrons, particules α ou encore particules γ. En pratique, la reconstruction des particules repose sur divers algorithmes implémentés dans un logiciel de simulation et de reconstruction développé par et pour la collaboration SuperNEMO. La reconstruction des particules γ est particulièrement délicate puisque ces particules ne laissent pas de traces dans la chambre à fils et sont seulement détectées par le calorimètre, parfois même plusieurs fois. Différentes approches ont été explorées durant cette thèse. Ce travail a abouti à la création d’un nouvel algorithme permettant à la fois d’optimiser l’efficacité de reconstruction des particules γ mais aussi d’améliorer la reconstruction de leurs énergies. D'autres programmes assurant l’identification des particules et l’opération des mesures topologiques pertinentes à chaque événement ont aussi été développés. La valeur du champ magnétique a été optimisée pour la recherche de la désintégration 0νββ à l’aide de simulations Monte-Carlo. Les performances des blindages magnétiques ainsi que leur influence sur le champ magnétique ont été évaluées via des mesures effectuées grâce à des bobines magnétiques à échelle réduite. Le démonstrateur SuperNEMO est capable de mesurer ses propres contaminations en bruits de fond grâce à des canaux d’analyse dédiés. À l’issue d’une première prise de données de 2,5 ans, les activités visées pour les principaux bruits de fond devraient être connues précisément. En outre, la demi-vie du processus 2νββ pour le ⁸²Se devrait être mesurée avec une incertitude totale de 0,3 %.À la différence d’autres expériences double beta se basant uniquement sur la somme en énergie des deux électrons, SuperNEMO a accès à la totalité de la cinématique d’un événement et donc à de plus nombreuses informations topologiques. Une analyse multivariée reposant sur des arbres de décision boostés permet ainsi une amélioration d’au moins 10 % de la sensibilité pour la recherche de la désintégration 0νββ. Après 2,5 ans, et si aucun excès d'événements 0νββ n'est observé, le démonstrateur pourra établir une limite inférieure sur la demi-vie du processus 0νββ : T > 5.85 10²⁴ ans, équivalant à une limite supérieure sur la masse effective du neutrino mββ < 0.2 − 0.55 eV. En extrapolant ce résultat à une exposition de 500 kg.an, ces mêmes limites deviendraient T > 10²⁶ ans et mββ < 40 − 110 meV. / SuperNEMO is an experiment looking for the neutrinoless double beta decay in an effort to unveil the Majorana nature of the neutrino. The first module, called the demonstrator, is under construction and commissioning in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. Its unique design combines tracking and calorimetry techniques. The demonstrator can study 7 kg of ⁸²Se, shaped in thin source foils. These source foils are surrounded by a wire chamber, thus allowing a 3-dimensional reconstruction of the charged particles tracks. The individual particles energies are then measured by a segmented calorimeter, composed of plastic scintillators coupled with photomultipliers. A magnetic field can be applied to the tracking volume in order to identify the charge of the particles. SuperNEMO is thus able to perform a full reconstruction of the events kinematics and to identify the nature of the particles involved: electrons, positrons, α particles or γ particles. In practice, the particle and event reconstruction relies on a variety of algorithms, implemented in the dedicated SuperNEMO simulation and reconstruction software. The γ reconstruction is particularly challenging since γ particles do not leave tracks in the wire chamber and are only detected by the calorimeter, sometimes multiple times. Several γ reconstruction approaches were explored during this thesis. This work lead to the creation of a new algorithm optimizing the γ reconstruction efficiency and improving the γ energy reconstruction. Other programs allowing the particle identification and performing the topological measurements relevant to an event were also developed. The value of the magnetic field was optimized for the 0νββ decay search, based on Monte-Carlo simulations. The magnetic shieldings performances and their impact on the shape of the magnetic field were estimated with measurements performed on small scale magnetic coils. The SuperNEMO demonstrator is able to measure its own background contamination thanks to dedicated analysis channels. At the end of the first 2.5 years data taking phase, the main backgrounds target activities should be measured accurately. The ⁸²Se 2νββ half-life should be known with a 0.3 % total uncertainty. Unlike other double beta decay experiments relying solely on the two electrons energy sum, SuperNEMO has access to the full events kinematics and thus to more topological information. A multivariate analysis based on Boosted Decision Trees was shown to guarantee at least a 10 % increase of the sensitivity of the 0νββ decay search. After 2.5 years, and if no excess of 0νββ events is observed, the SuperNEMO demonstrator should be able to set a limit on the 0νββ half-life of T > 5.85 10²⁴ y, translating into a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass mββ < 0.2 − 0.55 eV. Extrapolating this result to the full-scale SuperNEMO experiment, i.e. 500 kg.y, the sensitivity would be raised to T > 10²⁶ y or mββ < 40 − 110 meV.

The GERDA experiment searches for the neutrinoless double beta (0𝜈𝛽𝛽) decay of Ge-76. The observation of this decay would prove the Majorana character of the neutrino, i.e. that it is its own antiparticle. This would clarify the question which neutrino mass ordering is realized in nature and give a hint of the effective Majorana neutrino mass. Furthermore, the existence of the 0𝜈𝛽𝛽 decay would imply the violation of lepton number conservation which is a key feature in some theories explaining the asymmetry of matter and antimatter in the universe. The effective Majorana neutrino mass is connected with the half life of the 0𝜈𝛽𝛽 decay via a nuclear matrix element (NME), which is predicted by various theoretical models that are afflicted by large uncertainties. The accuracy of the different NMEs and their internal model assumptions can be increased by considering experimental investigations. While the NMEs for the 0𝜈𝛽𝛽 decay and the neutrino accompanied double beta (2𝜈𝛽𝛽) decay are numerically different, they rely on similar model assumptions. Thus, experimental constraints can be given by the 2𝜈𝛽𝛽 decay into the ground state, which has been already measured by GERDA with unprecedented precision for Ge-76, but also by the investigation of the 2𝜈𝛽𝛽 decay into excited states, which has not yet been observed for Ge-76. GERDA operates enriched germanium detectors in liquid argon (LAr) which serves as an additional background veto using the scintillation light that is created when energy is deposited in LAr. The signal signature of the decay into excited states can be enhanced with the application of the LAr veto, however, for that the efficiency of the LAr veto needs to be determined. One of the key parameters of the LAr efficiency is the attenuation of the scintillation light in LAr, which is dependent on the impurity composition and concentration in LAr. Therefore, the attenuation length of the scintillation light in LAr has been measured in GERDA with a dedicated setup in the course of this work. The analysis of the acquired data required intense computer simulations in order to describe the background for the measurement sufficiently. This also involved the measurement of the steel reflectivity in the visible and the UV region, where LAr scintillates. Therewith, the search for excited states has been performed in this work for the data accumulated in GERDA Phase I, Phase II and Phase II+ including the LAr veto for the latter two data sets. New limits have been set on the investigated excited states decay modes and some of the corresponding theoretical half life predictions could be disfavored, i.e. the underlying NMEs models can be constrained. The successor experiment LEGEND will continue searching for the 0𝜈𝛽𝛽 decay of Ge-76 using more germanium detectors together with an improved LAr veto. The investigation of the decay of Ge-76 into excited states will also be further pursued in LEGEND.

La structure nucléaire en couches sphériques évolue en allant vers des régions de plus en plus exotiques de la carte des noyaux. Par conséquent, les nombres magiques conventionnels (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) peuvent disparaître loin de la stabilité, tandis que de nouveaux apparaissent.L’évolution des gaps entre états de particule individuelle loin de la stabilité a essentiellement deux origines : les dérives monopolaires et l’augmentation de la collectivité. Les dérives monopolaires sont essentiellement dues à l’interaction proton-neutron (composante spin-isospin de l’interaction nucléaire). On se concentre dans cette thèse sur les isotopes impairs N=51 et en particulier sur 83Ge, le plus proche de 79Ni que l’on peut étudier actuellement par spectroscopie γ de précision. Pour cela, deux expériences complémentaires ont été réalisées. Une première expérience, au GANIL avec AGATA, VAMOS et le plunger OUPS a permis de mesurer les durées de vie des états excités Yrast des produits de la réaction 238U(9Be,f). Une seconde expérience pour l’étude par spectroscopie γ β-retardée de 83Ge afin de peupler les états non-Yrast a été réalisée afin d’avoir une vue d’ensemble de la spectroscopie de 83Ge.La complémentarité de ces deux expériences a permis de mettre en évidence un état intru pour la première fois au delà du gap N=50 dans 83Ge et ainsi avoir plus d’information sur l’évolution du gap νg9/2νd5/2 associé au nombre magique de spin-orbite N=50. Une analyse détaillée de ses deux expériences est présentée dans ce manuscript. De plus, une comparaison avec un modèle semi-microscopique coeur-particule est aussi réalisée. / Nuclear spherical shell structure evolves towards more and more exotic regions of the nuclear chart. Therefore, conventional magic numbers (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) can disappear while new ones appear. 
The evolution of gaps between single-particle states far from stability has essentially two origins : monopole drift and the collectivity enhancement. The monopole drifts are mostly coming from neutron-proton interaction (spin-isospin term of the nuclear interaction). In this thesis, we focused on the study of N=51 isotones and in particular 83Ge, the closest to 79Ni that can be studied nowadays by detailled γ-spectroscopy. For this purpose, two complementary experiments were performed. A first experiment, at GANIL with AGATA, VAMOS and the OUPS plunger device allowed us to measure lifetime of Yrast excited states in the 238U(9Be,f) reaction products. A second experiment for the study of β-delayed γ-spectroscopy of 83Ge was performed in order to populate non-Yrast states so that has an overview of the spectroscopy of 83Ge.The complementarity of these two experiments allowed highlighting for the first time an intruder state above the N=50 gap in 83Ge and thus, it adds information about the evolution of the νg9/2νd5/2 gap corresponding to the N=50 shell closure.A detailed analysis of both experiments is presented in this manuscript. In addition, a comparison to a semi-microscopic core-particle model is performed.

The GERDA experiment is searching for the neutrinoless double beta (0vbb) decay of Ge-76. By that, it tries to answer two long standing questions about the neutrino: 'How large is the neutrino mass?' and 'Is the neutrino either Dirac or Majorana particle?'. Additionally, an observation would imply that lepton number is not conserved, which is an important puzzle piece for theories explaining the asymmetry between matter and anti-matter in the universe. The effective Majorana electron neutrino mass can be extracted from the half-life of the 0vbb -decay. However, during that conversion large uncertainties are added through nuclear matrix elements, that are calculated by a variety of theoretical models. Experimental input is required to constrain such models and their parameters to improve the reliability of the calculations. Additional input can be obtained by comparing the model predictions for the two neutrino double beta (2vbb) decay to the ground state, but also for decay modes to excited states of the daughter nuclide with measurements. The latter decay modes have not yet been observed in the case of Ge-76. The event signature of transitions to excited states is enhanced by de-excitation gamma-rays. The GERDA experiment employs an array of bare germanium semi-conductor detectors in a liquid argon cryostat. This array is suited to search for excited state transition in the 2vbb and 0vbb -decay modes using data with coincident energy depositions in multiple detectors. This work presents the preparation and characterisation of this data set, which includes the evaluation and correction of crosstalk between detector channels, the determination of the energy resolution of the detectors and the modelling of background. In an analysis combining 22 kgyr of Phase I data with the first 35 kgyr of Phase II data of GERDA, no signal has been observed for 2/0vbb -decays of Ge-76 to the energetically lowest three excited states in Se-76. New limits have been set for the two neutrino decay modes at T1/2(2v)(0+g.s. to 0+1) > 3.1x10^23 yr, T1/2(2v)(0+g.s. to 2+1) > 3.4x10^23 yr T1/2(2v)(0+g.s. to 2+2) > 2.5x10^23 yr with 90% credibility using a Bayesian approach, improving upon the limits obtained in Phase I. The corresponding sensitivities are 3.6x10^23 yr, 6.7x10^23 yr and 3.7x10^23 yr, respectively. First limits are set for the neutrinoless decay modes in the order of (10^24-10^25) yr. Reaching the desired Phase II exposure of 100 kgyr, the sensitivities will increase by up to 50%.

The search for the neutrinoless double beta (0nbb) decay is one of the most active fields in modern particle physics. This process is not allowed within the Standard Model and its observation would imply lepton number violation and would lead to the Majorana nature of neutrinos. The experimentally observed quantity is the half-life of the decay, which can be connected to the effective Majorana neutrino mass via nuclear matrix elements. The latter can only be determined theoretically and are currently affected by large uncertainties. To reduce these uncertainties one can investigate the well established two-neutrino double beta (2nbb) decay into the ground and excited states of the daughter isotope. These similar processes are allowed within the Standard Model. In this dissertation, the search for 2nbb decays into excited states is performed in Pd-110, Pd-102 and Ge-76. Three gamma spectroscopy setups at the Felsenkeller (Germany), HADES (Belgium) and LNGS (Italy) underground laboratories are used to search for the transitions in Pd-110 and Pd-102. No signal is observed leading to lower half-live bounds (90% C.I.) of 2.9e20 yr, 3.9e20 yr and 2.9e20 yr for the 0/2nbb 2p1, 0p1 and 2p2 transitions in Pd-110 and 7.9e18 yr, 9.2e18 yr and 1.5e19 yr for the 0/2nbb 2p1, 0p1 and 2p2 transitions in Pd-102, respectively. This is a factor of 1.3 to 3 improvement compared to previous limits. The data of Phase I (Nov 2011 - May 2013) of the 0nbb decay experiment GERDA at LNGS is used to search for excited state transitions in Ge-76. The analysis is based on coincidences between two detectors and finds no signal. Lower half-life limits (90 % C.L.) of 1.6e23 yr, 3.7e23 yr and 2.3e23 yr are obtained for the 2nbb 2p1, 0p1 and 2p2 transitions, respectively. These limits are more than two orders of magnitude larger than previous ones and could exclude many old matrix element calculations. In addition to the excited state searches, important measurements and improvements for GERDA Phase II upgrades are performed within this dissertation. 30 new BEGe detectors are characterized for their surface and active volume properties which is an essential ingredient for all future physics analyses in GERDA. These precision measurements reduce the systematic uncertainty of the active volume to a subdominant level. In extension to this, a new model for simulating pulse shapes of n+ electrode surface events is developed. With this model it is demonstrated that the dominant background of K-42 on the detector surfaces can be suppressed by a factor of 145 with an A/E pulse shape cut in Phase II. A further suppression of background is obtained by a liquid argon scintillation light veto. With newly developed Monte Carlo simulations, including the optical scintillation photons, it is demonstrated that Tl-208 in the detectors holders can be suppressed by a factor of 134. K-42 homogeneously distributed in the LAr can be suppressed with this veto in combination with pulse shape cuts by a factor of 170 for BEGe detectors. The characterization measurements and the developed simulation tools presented within this dissertation will help to enhance the sensitivity for all 0/2nbb decay modes and will allow to construct an improved background model in GERDA Phase II. / Die Suche nach dem neutrinolosen Doppelbetazerfall (0nbb) ist eines der aktivsten Felder der modernen Teilchenphysik. Der Zerfall setzt die Verletzung der Leptonenzahl voraus und hätte die Majorananatur des Neutrinos zur Folge. Die durch eine Beobachtung bestimmbare Halbwertszeit des Zerfalls ermöglicht, über ein nukleares Matrixelement, Zugang zur effektiven Majorananeutrinomasse. Die größten Unsicherheiten gehen dabei auf das Matrixelement zurück, welches nur durch verschiedene, teilweise stark voneinander abweichende theoretische Modelle zugänglich ist. Eine Möglichkeit diese Unsicherheiten zu reduzieren bieten genaue Studien des im Standardmodel erlaubten neutrinobegleiteten Doppelbetazerfalls (2nbb) in angeregte Zustände des Tochterkerns. In dieser Dissertation wird der 2nbb-Zerfall der Nuklide Pd-110, Pd-102 und Ge-76 in angeregte Zustände untersucht. Die Untersuchungen von Pd-110 und Pd-102 wurden in drei umfangreichen Gammaspektroskopie-Experimenten in den Untergrundlaboren Felsenkeller (Deutschland), HADES (Belgien) und LNGS (Italien) durchgefürt. Es wurde kein Signal beobachtet und damit die weltweit besten unteren Grenzen für die Halbwertszeit dieser Zerfälle festgesetzt: 2,9e20 yr, 3,9e20 yr und 2,9e20 yr für die 0/2nbb 2p1, 0p1 und 2p2 Übergänge in Pd-110 and 7,9e18 yr, 9,2e18 yr und 1,5e19 yr für die 0/2nbb 2p1, 0p1 und 2p2 Übergänge in Pd-102 (90% C.I.). Dies ist eine 1,3 bis 3-fache Verbesserung gegenüber den vorher bekannten Grenzen. Die Untersuchung des 2nbb-Zerfalls in Ge-76 basiert auf Daten aus Phase I (Nov. 2011 - Mai 2013) des 0nbb-Zerfall Experiments GERDA. Mit der auf koinzidenten Ereignissen basierten Analyse konnte kein Signal beobachtet werden und folgende untere Grenzen für die Halbwertszeit der 2nbb 2p1, 0p1 und 2p2 Übergänge wurden festgelegt: 1,6e23 yr, 3,7e23 yr und 2,3e23 (90% C.L.). Diese 100-fache Verbesserung gegenüber den bisher bekannten Grenzen widerlegt eine Vielzahl älterer, zur Verfügung stehender Matrixelemente. Zusätzlich wurden im Rahmen dieser Dissertation für die Erweiterungen des GERDA Experiments zur Phase II wichtige Messungen durchgeführt und Verbesserungen entwickelt. 30 neu produzierte BEGe Detektoren wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Oberflächeneigenschaften sowie ihrer aktiven Volumina charakterisiert. Diese Präzisisionsmessungen sind für alle zukünftigen Analysen in GERDA notwendig und erlauben die entsprechenden systematischen Unsicherheiten auf ein subdominantes Niveau zu reduzieren. Erweiternd wurde ein neues Model zur Beschreibung der n+ Elektrode entwickelt, welches erstmals erlaubt die Pulsform von Oberflächeninteraktionen zu simulieren. Mithilfe dieses Models konnte demonstriert werden, dass der in Oberflächeninteraktionen begründete und in GERDA dominante Messuntergrund von K-42 auf der Detektoroberfläche durch Pulsformanalyse um das 145-fache unterdrückt werden kann. Eine weitere Untergrundreduzierung wird durch ein Flüssigargon Szintillationsveto erreicht. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden vorhandene Monte Carlo Simulationen um den Transport von optischen Photonen erweitert und die 134-fache Unterdrückung des Tl-208 Untergrundes demonstriert. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit helfen eine deutliche Sensitivitätsverbesserung für die zuküntige Suche nach dem 0/2nbb-Zerfall zu erzielen und erlauben die Erstellung eines präziseren Untergrundmodels in GERDA Phase II.

Pas de résumé en français / In experiments looking for rare events, like neutrinoless double beta decay (DBD0v) and dark matter search (DM), one of the main issues is to increase the experimental sensitivity through the material selection and production. In the specific the background contribution coming from the materials used for the detector realization has to be minimized. Moreover the net reduction of the background produced by the bulk part of the apparatus has raised concerns about the background contribution coming from the surfaces. Many procedures and techniques were developed during the last years in order to remove and to minimize the presence of possible contaminants on detector surfaces. To succeed in this strategy a big effort was put in defining all possible mechanisms that lead to surface contaminations, as well as specific cleaning procedures, which are able to reduce and control the surface radioactivity. The presence in air and gases of possible radioactive elements that can stick on the detector surfaces can lead to a recontamination process that will vanish all the applied cleaning procedures. Here is presented and analyzed the contribution to the background of rare events experiments like CUORE (DBD0v) and EDELWEISS (DM) produced by an exposure of their detector components to a big activity of 222Rn, radioactive daughter isotope from the 238U chain

The use of ultracold neutrons (UCN) to study fundamental parameters such as the neutron lifetime and decay correlations in polarized neutron beta decay are poised to make significant contributions to our understand of the Standard Model and its extensions. To this end, the UCNA experiment is pursuing a precision measurement (0.2%) of the angular correlation between the neutron spin and the direction of emission of the electron in polarized neutron decay (the ``A'' asymmetry). The UCNA experiment makes use of the spallation-driven solid deuterium (SD2) UCN source at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The UCN leave the source and are 100% polarized by passing through a strong magnetic field before their decay is observed by a very sensitive electron spectrometer. UCN guides facilitate the transfer of UCN from the source to the spectrometer. Common guide materials include stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and quartz. Often a thin film is applied to these components to increase their ability to transport/bottle and preserve the polarization of UCN. In the region of the SD2 UCN source, nickel-58 films are applied, whereas once the UCN are polarized, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are employed. This dissertation covers the application, process developments, and characterization of these coatings. In addition a study concerning the surface finish resulting from the mechanical polishing and electropolishing of the guides that make up the UCNA beamline is presented. / Ph. D.