Semiconductor Detectors and Double Beta Decay

Theoretical physicists have devoted great effort to developing an adequate theory for linking the weak, electromagnetic, and strong forces of nature. Recent theoretical studies and observations of the stability of galaxies have strongly indicated the presence of large amounts of invisible mass. One element in the uncertainty associated with missing mass is the question of whether the neutrino has rest mass. A better understanding of the neutrino, explored in this paper by the possibility of double beta decay in the germanium 76 isotope, could perhaps provide some answers. Nuclear transitions are only energetically possible where the final nucleus is more tightly bound than its parent. The decay of germanium 76 to arsenic 76 is not energetically possible because the arsenic isotope is about 0.9 MeV less tightly bound than the germanium. The selenium 76 isotope, on the other hand, is about 2 MeV more tightly bound; therefore, a transition involving emission of two electrons by a germanium 76 nucleus to form a selenium 76 nucleus is energetically possible. The total energy release in kinetic energy of the beta particles and corresponding neutrinos from the excited daughter product is determined by the energy difference. This energetically possible event, if observed, willmore » provide a breakthrough in understanding the universe. This paper discusses the underlying theory and a germanium detector experiment which could make such a contribution to the resolution of this question.« less