EXO-200 Status

EXO-200 (Enriched Xenon Observatory - 200 kg) is an underground double-beta decay experiment that uses 200kg of Xenon isotopically enriched to 80\% in Xenon-136. The Xenon is contained in an ultra-low background TPC where there is simultaneous collection of scintillation light (using Large Area Avalanche Photodiodes (LAAPD's)) and ionization charge in order to significantly enhance the energy resolution. EXO-200 should measure the, as yet unobserved, two neutrino double-beta decay mode as well as achieve competitive sensitivity for the neutrinoless double-beta decay mode of Xenon-136. EXO-200 is currently under a 2000 meter water equivalent overburden at the WIPP site in New Mexico, where it is undergoing final construction and commissioning.