Advancing Neutrino Research: Using ExB Filtering for Testing Barium Ion Sensors

The search for the Neutrinoless double beta decay has become a pivotal pathway to reveal the Majorana nature of neutrinos. A crucial technique to enhance sensitivity in these experiments is barium tagging, which requires precise identification of barium ions produced in xenon-136 decay. During my summer traineeship, I investigated the modeling and testing of an Electric × Magnetic (EXB) filter, also known as a Wien filter, for barium ion selection. Cadmium ion evaporation and analysis were first performed to establish experimental methodology and validate data acquisition techniques. A theoretical framework for the EXB filter was developed, followed by mechanical design using SolidWorks and finite element simulations in COMSOL to model ion trajectories under varying electric and magnetic field conditions. Results demonstrate successful ion trajectory control, highlighting the filter's ability to selectively transmit barium ions. These findings support the use of EXB filtering as a reliable tool for barium tagging in neutrino experiments, offering potential improvements in sensitivity and background reduction.