Detector String Design and Prototype Tests for the M{\sc ajorana} Science Program

The M{\sc ajorana} experiment is a next-generation 0$\nu\beta\beta$ search that will probe the effective Majorana neutrino mass parameter, $\left < \mbox{m}_{\beta\beta} \right >$ with excellent sensitivity. At its D{\sc emonstrator} stage (20--30 kg of enriched detectors out of a total of 40 kg at the Sanford Laboratory), M{\sc ajorana} will be sensitive to $\left < \mbox{m}_{\beta\beta} \right >$ at the level of a few hundred meV. The planned ton-scale experiment would reach well down into the inverted hierarchy. Part of the strategy for attaining these physics goals is to deploy tens of detectors in close-packed ``string mounts'' into the same cryostat. The design considerations for these strings in terms of minimizing: cooling time, detector-to-detector cross talk, microphonic pickup and other sources of electronic noise, while maintaining close detector packing and minimal support structure mass represent an interesting and important component of the M{\sc ajorana} R\&D program. Here, we will present the status of current M{\sc ajorana} detector string design activities, with special attention paid to electrical and thermal tests. We will also present a brief outline of future tests related to this component of the M{\sc ajorana} experimental program. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the U.S. Department of Energy through the LANL/LDRD Program for this work.