New experimental limits on the α decays of lead isotopes
Abstract
For the first time ancient Roman lead was used to grow a crystal of PbWO4 , and this crystal has subsequently been used as a cryogenic particle detector. The new device provides independent readout of heat and scintillation light and is able to discriminate between β/γ interactions and alpha interactions down to few keV. Stringent limits on the α decays of the lead isotopes are presented. In particular a limit of T_{1/2}>1.4\cdot 10^{20} y at a 90% C.L. was evaluated for the α decay of 204Pb to 200Hg.
- Publication:
-
European Physical Journal A
- Pub Date:
- April 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1140/epja/i2013-13050-7
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1212.2422
- Bibcode:
- 2013EPJA...49...50B
- Keywords:
-
- Nuclear Experiment
- E-Print:
- Eur. Phys. J. A (2013) 49: 50