https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-13847-1
Regular Article - Experimental Physics
Combining hybrid and opaque scintillator techniques in the search for double beta plus decays
A concept study for the NuDoubt
experiment
1
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Institut für Physik, 55128, Mainz, Germany
2
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Detektorlabor, Exzellenzcluster PRISMA+, 55128, Mainz, Germany
a
stefan.schoppmann@uni-mainz.de
https://nudoubt.uni-mainz.de
Received:
1
October
2024
Accepted:
21
January
2025
Published online:
31
January
2025
Double beta plus decay is a rare nuclear disintegration process. Difficulties in its measurement arise from suppressed decay probabilities, experimentally challenging decay signatures and low natural abundances of suitable candidate nuclei. In this article, we propose a new detector concept to overcome these challenges. It is based on the first-time combination of hybrid and opaque scintillation detector technology paired with novel light read-out techniques. This approach is particularly suitable for detecting positrons (beta plus) signatures. We expect to discover two-neutrino double beta plus decay modes within 1 tonne-week exposure and are able to probe neutrinoless double beta plus decays at several orders of magnitude improved significance compared to current experimental limits.
© The Author(s) 2025
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Funded by SCOAP3.