Project description
New detector tracking rare beta decays could boost understanding of our universe’s structure
The key to understanding why the universe exists as it does – filled with matter instead of being empty – could lie in examining neutrino behaviour. A rare process called neutrinoless double beta decay (0n2b) could hold the answer, as it would reveal whether neutrinos are their own antimatter counterparts – a notion tied to Majorana fermions. While most research focuses on negative beta decays, positive modes such as double positron emission remain largely unexplored owing to their extreme rarity and technical challenges. The ERC-funded NuDoubt project introduces a cutting-edge detector that combines hybrid and opaque scintillation technologies to achieve unparalleled sensitivity and background suppression. This innovative approach could, for the first time, measure elusive decays and open a new chapter in our understanding of the universe’s origins.
Objective
The pre-dominance of ordinary matter over anti-matter in the observable universe is one of the major unsolved questions of cosmology. Without this so-called baryon asymmetry (BA) the universe would be a void. An avenue to explain BA is through the discovery of a process that violates the number of leptons (LNV). Prime candidate is the neutrinoless double beta decay (0n2b). While in ordinary double beta decays (2n2b) two nucleons simultaneously decay in two charged leptons and two neutrinos, in 0n2b the neutrinos are internally absorbed leading to LNV. In most theories this is connected to the notion of Majorana fermions (MF), i.e. the neutrino being its own anti-matter partner. Neither LNV nor MF have been observed yet. Thus discovery of 0n2b would revolutionise our understanding of the universe.
Currently, searches focus on negative double beta decays. In contrast, double beta plus (2b+), double electron capture (2EC) and their mixed mode (ECb+) are little explored. None of the positive neutrinoless modes and not even 2n2b+ nor 2nECb+ have been seen although the latter two are undisputedly expected to exist. Their measurement is particularly difficult due to suppressed decay probabilities, challenging background suppression and low natural abundances of suitable candidate nuclei.
In this application I propose NuDoubt, a novel detector concept based on the combination of hybrid and opaque scintillation detector technology. They each offer groundbreaking background suppression. NuDoubt allows for the first time to combine their complementing background suppression power achieving superb signal to background ratios. NuDoubt is perfectly suited for pressure loading of enriched noble gases allowing for unmatched abundances in scintillation detectors. NuDoubt will measure for the first time 2nECb+ within just 1 calendar year of operation. NuDoubt will also be able to probe 0n2b+ and 0nECb+ at more than 1000-fold improved significance compare to current limits.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics neutrinos
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics leptons
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics fermions
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy physical cosmology
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
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55122 Mainz
Germany
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