Development of Tin-Based Single Crystal Scintillator for Double-Beta Decay Experiments

Abstract

© 1963-2012 IEEE. 124Sn is one of the potential candidate isotopes for the study of 2ν β β and 0ν β β decay having a Q β β value of 2.228 MeV and natural isotopic abundance of 5.8%. 124Sn-loaded-liquid scintillator has been investigated for 2ν β β and 0ν β β decay search. Since 2ν β β has not been experimentally observed from 124Sn isotope, unlike some of the isotopes subject to double-beta decay (DBD), it is necessary to study this element. However, lower light yield, chemical instability, and lower Sn-loading capability are some of the limitations of the liquid and plastic scintillators. The current investigation has been carried out to develop a single crystal of tetraphenyltin (TPSn) for the 2ν β β and 0ν β β decay search experiments. The TPSn powder for crystal growing was purified by recrystallization. The single crystals were grown using two-zone vertical Bridgman and slow solvent-evaporation techniques. Purified powder, diphenyloxazole (PPO), 1, 4-bis(2-methylstyryl) benzene (bis-MSB), and anthracene-doped Bridgman-grown crystal and anthracene-doped solvent-evaporation grown crystals showed X-ray induced emission peaking at 475 nm. The anthracene-doped crystal grown by solvent evaporation method showed scintillation under α-particles excitation from 241Am source. Two decay components, 16 ns with 68.7% and 132 ns with 31.3% relative contributions, were observed under α-particles excitation. This article suggests that after crystal growth optimization, TPSn can be a promising candidate for the DBD search of 124Sn.