LiFE-SNS: LiF Experiment for keV-scale Sterile Neutrino Search
Abstract
The LiF Experiment for keV-scale Sterile Neutrino Search (LiFE-SNS) aims to probe sterile neutrinos through precision measurements of the tritium β spectrum. Tritium nuclei are produced and embedded in LiF crystals via the 6Li(n,α)3H reaction, allowing thermal calorimetric detection of β decays with magnetic microcalorimeters (MMCs) operated at millikelvin temperatures. We present the detector configuration, background studies, and calibration method, including modeling of position-dependent response and characterization of detector nonlinearity. We also discuss potential sources of systematic uncertainty relevant to the sterile-neutrino search. While the first phase of LiFE-SNS has been completed, this paper focuses on calibration and detector characterization. The achieved performance enables precision β-spectrum measurements, and projected sensitivities indicate competitive reach in the keV mass region.
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