Neutrinos, assumed massless in the Standard Model of particle physics, must have masses to explain the observation of neutrino oscillations. However, the absolute neutrino mass scale remains elusive. Laboratory measurements using tritium beta decay provide the most direct and model-independent means of determining neutrino mass. Yet, current experiments utilizing molecular tritium sources face fundamental sensitivity limits. This project aims to develop a groundbreaking resonant cavity detector capable of performing neutrino mass measurements with unprecedented precision.
Within this project, I will develop and build a resonant cavity, laying the foundations for the next-generation neutrino mass measurement. The detector will simultaneously serve as a high- volume trap for neutral atomic tritium and as a detector for beta decay electrons. Utilizing cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy (CRES) in a cubic-meter-scale cavity, this technique promises to significantly enhance sensitivity by resonantly amplifying the power of emitted radiation from trapped electrons, which has never been demonstrated. This will increase the CRES-sensitive volume by five orders of magnitude and reduce the power threshold for signal detection by four orders of magnitude, enabling high-precision measurements that could decisively determine the neutrino mass scale.
Beyond its critical role in advancing neutrino physics, this project will contribute innovative tools and methodologies to the ultracold atom community and other precision measurement fields. By overcoming existing technological barriers, this detector paves the way for revolutionary advancements in our understanding of fundamental particles.