English

Navigating the pitfalls of relic neutrino detection

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology 2021-11-19 v3 Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics

Abstract

Beta-spectrum of radioactive atoms was long ago predicted to bear an imprint of the Cosmic Neutrino Background (Cν\nuB). Over the years, it has been recognised that the best chance of achieving the signal-to-noise ratio required for the observation of this effect lies with solid-state designs. Here we bring to the fore a fundamental quantum limitation on the type of beta-decayer that can be used in such a design. We derive a simple usability criterion and show that 3H^3\rm H, which is the most popular choice, fails to meet it. We provide a list of potentially suitable isotopes and discuss why their use in Cν\nuB detection requires further research.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2101.10069,
  title  = {Navigating the pitfalls of relic neutrino detection},
  author = {Yevheniia Cheipesh and Vadim Cheianov and Alexey Boyarsky},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2101.10069},
  year   = {2021}
}