Nuclear Physics Seminars

The aim of the KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino experiment KATRIN is the direct and model independent determination of the absolute neutrino mass scale down to 0.2 eV. For this purpose, the integral electron energy spectrum will be measured close to the endpoint of molecular tritium beta decay. The electrostatic retardation method with magnetic adiabatic collimation (MAC-E filter) combines high energy resolution with high statistics and small background. The various components of the experiment (gaseous tritium source, pumping-transport system, pre- and main spectrometer, detector and rear system) will be reviewed, together with various systematic effect and background issues. In addition, possibilities for light and keV sterile neutrino determinations will also be discussed.