Erlangen 2026 – scientific programme

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HK: Fachverband Physik der Hadronen und Kerne

HK 22: Structure and Dynamics of Nuclei VI

HK 22.6: Talk

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 15:30–15:45, AM 00.021

Studies of the ⁷⁶Ge level scheme via neutron activation and γ-γ coincidence spectroscopy for germanium-based 0νββ decay experiments — •Marie Pichotta¹, Toralf Döring², Björn Lehnert¹, Max Osswald¹, Ronald Schwengner², Christoph Seibt¹, Steffen Turkat¹, and Kai Zuber¹ — ¹Technische Universität Dresden (IKTP), Germany — ²Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany

The still undetected neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay would prove the Majorana nature of neutrinos and thus provide clear evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model. ⁷⁶Ge is one of the most promising nuclides for its detection and is employed in several large-scale experiments, such as LEGEND. For a distinct identification of a potential ⁷⁶Ge 0νββ signal, a detailed understanding of all background contributions within the signal region is essential.
In a first experimental campaign at the DT neutron generator of TU Dresden, germanium isotopically enriched in ⁷⁶Ge was activated with 14 MeV neutrons, and the resulting γ radiation from the β⁻ decay of ⁷⁶Ga into excited states of ⁷⁶Ge was measured. The spectra from multiple irradiation cycles revealed several γ-ray peaks located in the vicinity of the 0νββ signal region, of partially unknown origin.
This talk focuses on a follow-up study, where multiple HPGe detectors equipped with active anti-Compton suppression were employed to perform γ-γ coincidence measurements. This enables a detailed reconstruction of decay cascades and aims at identifying unknown γ-ray transitions, thereby closing remaining gaps in the level scheme of ⁷⁶Ge.

Keywords: Germanium; Level scheme; HPGe detectors; Neutron activation