College - Author 1
College of Science and Mathematics
Department - Author 1
Physics Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Physics
Date
6-2026
Primary Advisor
Thomas Gutierrez, College of Science and Mathematics, Physics Department
Abstract/Summary
CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) is an experiment at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Assergi, Italy, currently searching for an answer to the matter-antimatter asymmetry problem; the question: why do we exist? One proposed explanation is neutrinoless double beta decay, a theorized exotic decay that would prove that neutrinos are their own antiparticle, violating the current Standard Model for particle physics. However, current detection methods do not distinguish different types of particle interactions, resulting in alpha decays contributing to the background. Therefore, the experimental sensitivity is too limited to make confident determinations about the data. For this reason, CUORE is receiving an upgrade named CUPID (CUORE Upgrade with Particle Identification). In addition to the cryogenic bolometer, CUPID incorporates scintillation detectors, which enable the detection of light signals for each event. The simultaneous measurements of the thermal and optical signatures of each event allow us to confidently distinguish between decay types. Discriminating alpha decays from beta decays allows us to reduce background and improve sensitivity in order to further investigate the possibility of neutrinoless double beta decay. This work is made possible with support from NSF-1913374 and NSF-2412377.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/physsp/240