Production of high purity TeO_2 single crystals for the study of neutrinoless double beta decay

High purity TeO2 crystals are produced to be used for the search for the neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te. Dedicated production lines for raw material synthesis, crystal growth and surface processing were built compliant with radio-purity constraints specific to rare event physics experiments. High sensitivity measurements of radio-isotope concentrations in raw materials, reactants, consumables, ancillaries and intermediary products used for TeO2 crystals production are reported. Production and certification protocols are presented and resulting ready-to-use TeO2 crystals are described.

Note:

11 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables

07.20.Mc
23.40.-s
29.40.Wk
29.40.-n
81.10.Fq
81.65.Cf

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