# Sterile neutrino search with KATRIN - modeling and design-criteria of a novel detector system

Korzeczek, Marc

##### Abstract (englisch):
A fundamental phenomenon in particle physics is the absence of massive objects in our universe: Dark Matter. A promising candidate that could explain these observations are sterile neutrinos with a mass of several $\mathrm{keV}/c^2$. While it is presumed that sterile neutrinos do not interact via the weak force, they, due to their mass, still partake in neutrino oscillation.

Consequently, it is experimentally possible to investigate their imprint in beta-decay experiments, such as the Karlsruhe tritium neutrino experiment (KATRIN). A dedicated search for sterile neutrinos however ensues a steep increase in the electron rate and thus requires the development of a new detector system, the TRISTAN detector. In addition, as the imprint of sterile neutrinos is presumably $<10^{-7}$, systematic uncertainties have to be understood and modeled with high precision.

In this thesis systematics prevalent at the detector and spectrometer section of KATRIN will be discussed and their impact to a sterile neutrino sensitivity illuminated. The derived model is compared with data of the current KATRIN detector and with characterization measurements of the first TRISTAN prototype detectors, seven pixel silicon drift detectors.
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 Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Experimentelle Teilchenphysik (ETP)KIT-Zentrum Elementarteilchen- und Astroteilchenphysik (KCETA) Publikationstyp Hochschulschrift Publikationsdatum 07.07.2020 Sprache Englisch Identifikator KITopen-ID: 1000120634 HGF-Programm 51.03.02 (POF III, LK 01)Katrin Verlag Karlsruhe Umfang x, 167 S. Art der Arbeit Dissertation Fakultät Fakultät für Physik (PHYSIK) Institut Institut für Experimentelle Teilchenphysik (ETP) Prüfungsdatum 08.05.2020 Referent/Betreuer Prof. G. Drexlin Projektinformation GSC 1085 KSETA (DFG, DFG EXIN, GSC 1085) Schlagwörter sterile neutrino, neutrino physics, astroparticle physics, KATRIN, TRISTAN, silicon drift detector,
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