Physics Major: Nathan Thiem

Abstract: An unknown fundamental quantum mechanical property of neutrinos is whether or not the neutrino is a Majorana or Dirac fermion. If zero neutrino double beta decay can be detected, it will prove the neutrino is a Majorana fermion. A liquid xenon-136 time projection chamber with a high energy resolution provides a promising way to detect zero neutrino double beta decay. For the liquid xenon time projection chamber to have a high energy resolution, it needs to be free of other gas impurities. I am designing a prototype liquid xenon time projection chamber so different liquid xenon purification methods can be tested.

Advisor: Michelle Dolinski