Speaker
Description
The Majorana nature of the neutrino, i.e., whether it is its own antiparticle, remains an open problem in modern physics. The observation of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (0$\nu\beta\beta$), a hypothesized beyond Standard Model process, would conclusively establish the Majorana nature of neutrinos. It would also demonstrate lepton number violation and could provide insight into the absolute neutrino mass scale. Previous experimental searches for 0$\nu\beta\beta$ in $^{76}$Ge achieved the lowest background index and the best energy resolution of all 0$\nu\beta\beta$ searches. The next generation tonne-scale germanium experiment LEGEND (Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless $\beta\beta$ Decay) combines the technologies and techniques from the GERDA and Majorana Demonstrator experiments. LEGEND-1000 has a goal background index of 10$^{-5}$ counts/(keV.kg.yr) and sensitivity to a decay half-life beyond 10$^{28}$ yr. In phase 1, LEGEND-200 will operate 200 kg of enriched detectors in the upgraded GERDA cryostat at LNGS, Italy. In a planned phase 2, LEGEND-1000 will operate 1000 kg of enriched detectors at a site that is yet to be finalized. Currently, LEGEND-200 is currently taking data with 142 kg of germanium detectors. In this talk, the status and scientific outlook of LEGEND will be presented, on behalf of the collaboration.
