The SuperNEMO tracking detector

Abstract

The SuperNEMO detector will search for neutrinoless double beta decay at the Modane Underground Laboratory on the French-Italian border. This decay mode, if observed, would be proof that the neutrino is its own antiparticle, would constitute evidence for total lepton number violation, and could allow a measurement of the absolute neutrino mass. The SuperNEMO experiment is designed to reach a half-life sensitivity of $10^{26}$ years corresponding to an effective Majorana neutrino mass of $50-100~$meV. The SuperNEMO detector design allows complete topological reconstruction of the double beta decay event enabling excellent levels of background rejection. In the event of a discovery, such topological measurements will be vital in determining the nature of the lepton number violating process. This reconstruction will be performed by a gaseous tracking detector, consisting of 2034 drift cells per module operated in Geiger mode. The tracker of the Demonstrator Module is currently under construction in the UK. This paper presents the design of of the tracker, the construction procedure, and the current status of the construction and testing of the tracker cells.