@inproceedings{giovanetti_abgrall_aguayo_avignone_barabash_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_busch_byram_et al._2015, title={A dark matter search with MALBEK}, volume={61}, ISSN={1875-3892}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.PHPRO.2014.12.014}, DOI={10.1016/j.phpro.2014.12.014}, abstractNote={Abstract The Majorana Demonstrator is an array of natural and enriched high purity germanium detectors that will search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76 Ge and perform a search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with masses below 10 GeV. As part of the Majorana research and development efforts, we have deployed a modified, low-background broad energy germanium detector at the Kimballton Underground Research Facility. With its sub-keV energy threshold, this detector is sensitive to potential non-Standard Model physics, including interactions with WIMPs. We discuss the backgrounds present in the WIMP region of interest and explore the impact of slow surface event contamination when searching for a WIMP signal.}, booktitle={13th international conference on topics in astroparticle and underground physics, taup 2013}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Giovanetti, G.K. and Abgrall, N. and Aguayo, E. and Avignone, F.T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and Byram, D. and et al.}, year={2015}, pages={77–84} }
 @inproceedings{cuesta_abgrall_aguayo_avignone_barabash_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_busch_byram_et al._2015, title={Background model for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR}, volume={61}, ISSN={1875-3892}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.PHPRO.2015.06.001}, DOI={10.1016/j.phpro.2015.06.001}, abstractNote={The Majorana Collaboration is constructing a system containing 40 kg of HPGe detectors to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of a future tonne-scale experiment capable of probing the neutrino mass scale in the inverted-hierarchy region. To realize this, a major goal of the Majorana Demonstrator is to demonstrate a path forward to achieving a background rate at or below 1 cnt/(ROI-t-y) in the 4 keV region of interest around the Q-value at 2039 keV. This goal is pursued through a combination of a significant reduction of radioactive impurities in construction materials with analytical methods for background rejection, for example using powerful pulse shape analysis techniques profiting from the p-type point contact HPGe detectors technology. The effectiveness of these methods is assessed using simulations of the different background components whose purity levels are constrained from radioassay measurements.}, booktitle={Physics Procedia}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Cuesta, C. and Abgrall, N. and Aguayo, E. and Avignone, F.T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and Byram, D. and et al.}, year={2015}, pages={821–827} }
 @inproceedings{xu_abgrall_aguayo_avignone_barabash_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_busch_byram_et al._2015, title={Testing the Ge detectors for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR}, volume={61}, ISSN={1875-3892}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.PHPRO.2014.12.104}, DOI={10.1016/j.phpro.2014.12.104}, abstractNote={High purity germanium (HPGe) crystals will be used for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, where they serve as both the source and the detector for neutrinoless double beta decay. It is crucial for the experiment to understand the performance of the HPGe crystals. A variety of crystal properties are being investigated, including basic properties such as energy resolution, efficiency, uniformity, capacitance, leakage current and crystal axis orientation, as well as more sophisticated properties, e.g. pulse shapes and dead layer and transition layer distributions. In this talk, we will present our measurements that characterize the HPGe crystals. We will also discuss the our simulation package for the detector characterization setup, and show that additional information can be extracted from data-simulation comparisons.}, booktitle={Physics Procedia}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Xu, W. and Abgrall, N. and Aguayo, E. and Avignone, F.T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and Byram, D. and et al.}, year={2015}, pages={807–815} }
 @inproceedings{green_abgrall_aguayo_avignone_barabash_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_busch_byram_et al._2015, title={The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR for 0 nu beta beta: Current status and future plans}, volume={61}, ISSN={1875-3892}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.PHPRO.2014.12.038}, DOI={10.1016/j.phpro.2014.12.038}, abstractNote={The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR will search for neutrinoless-double-beta decay (0νββ) in 76Ge, while establishing the feasibility of a future tonne-scale germanium-based 0νββ experiment, and performing searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The experiment, currently under construction at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, SD, will consist of a pair of modular high-purity germanium detector arrays housed inside of a compact copper, lead, and polyethylene shield. Through a combination of strict materials qualifications and assay, low-background design, and powerful background rejection techniques, the Demonstrator aims to achieve a background rate in the 0νββ region of interest (ROI) of no more than 3 counts in the 0νββ-decay ROI per tonne of target isotope per year (cnts/(ROI-t-y)). The current status of the Demonstrator is discussed, as are plans for its completion.}, booktitle={Physics Procedia}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Green, M.P. and Abgrall, N. and Aguayo, E. and Avignone, F.T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and Byram, D. and et al.}, year={2015}, pages={232–240} }
 @inproceedings{abgrall_aguayo_avignone_barabash_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_busch_byram_caldwell_et al._2015, title={The MAJORANA low-noise low-background front-end electronics}, volume={61}, ISSN={1875-3892}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.PHPRO.2014.12.066}, DOI={10.1016/j.phpro.2014.12.066}, abstractNote={Abstract The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR will search for the neutrinoless double beta decay (ββ(0ν)) of the isotope 76Ge with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. In view of the next generation of tonne-scale germanium-based ββ(0ν)-decay searches, a major goal of the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is to demonstrate a path forward to achieving a background rate at or below 1 cnt/(ROI-t-y) in the 4 keV region of interest (ROI) around the 2039-keV Q-value of the 76Ge ββ(0ν)-decay. Such a requirement on the background level significantly constrains the design of the readout electronics, which is further driven by noise and energy resolution performances. We present here the low-noise low- background front-end electronics developed for the low-capacitance p-type point contact (P-PC) germanium detectors of the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR. This resistive-feedback front-end, specifically designed to have low mass, is fabricated on a radioassayed fused-silica substrate where the feedback resistor consists of a sputtered thin film of high purity amorphous germanium and the feedback capacitor is based on the capacitance between gold conductive traces.}, booktitle={Physics Procedia}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Abgrall, N. and Aguayo, E. and Avignone, F.T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and Byram, D. and Caldwell, A.S. and et al.}, year={2015}, pages={654–657} }
 @article{abgrall_aguayo_avignone_barabash_bertrand_brudanin_busch_byram_caldwell_chan_et al._2015, title={The MAJORANA parts tracking database}, volume={779}, ISSN={0168-9002}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.NIMA.2015.01.001}, DOI={10.1016/j.nima.2015.01.001}, abstractNote={The Majorana Demonstrator is an ultra-low background physics experiment searching for the neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{76}$Ge. The Majorana Parts Tracking Database is used to record the history of components used in the construction of the Demonstrator. The tracking implementation takes a novel approach based on the schema-free database technology CouchDB. Transportation, storage, and processes undergone by parts such as machining or cleaning are linked to part records. Tracking parts provides a great logistics benefit and an important quality assurance reference during construction. In addition, the location history of parts provides an estimate of their exposure to cosmic radiation. A web application for data entry and a radiation exposure calculator have been developed as tools for achieving the extreme radio-purity required for this rare decay search.}, journal={Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Abgrall, N. and Aguayo, E. and Avignone, F.T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Bertrand, F.E. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and Byram, D. and Caldwell, A.S. and Chan, Y-D. and et al.}, year={2015}, pages={52–62} }
 @article{leviner_aalseth_ahmed_avignone_back_barabash_boswell_de braeckeleer_brudanin_chan_et al._2014, title={A segmented, enriched N-type germanium detector for neutrinoless double beta-decay experiments}, volume={735}, ISSN={0168-9002}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.NIMA.2013.08.081}, DOI={10.1016/J.NIMA.2013.08.081}, abstractNote={We present data characterizing the performance of the first segmented, N-type Ge detector, isotopically enriched to 85% $^{76}$Ge. This detector, based on the Ortec PT6x2 design and referred to as SEGA (Segmented, Enriched Germanium Assembly), was developed as a possible prototype for neutrinoless double beta-decay measurements by the {\sc Majorana} collaboration. We present some of the general characteristics (including bias potential, efficiency, leakage current, and integral cross-talk) for this detector in its temporary cryostat. We also present an analysis of the resolution of the detector, and demonstrate that for all but two segments there is at least one channel that reaches the {\sc Majorana} resolution goal below 4 keV FWHM at 2039 keV, and all channels are below 4.5 keV FWHM.}, journal={Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Leviner, L.E. and Aalseth, C.E. and Ahmed, M.W. and Avignone, F.T., III and Back, H.O. and Barabash, A.S. and Boswell, M. and De Braeckeleer, L. and Brudanin, V.B. and Chan, Y.-D. and et al.}, year={2014}, month={Jan}, pages={66–77} }
 @article{abgrall_aguayo_avignone_barabash_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_busch_caldwell_chan_et al._2014, title={The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiment}, volume={2014}, url={http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84895105114&partnerID=MN8TOARS}, DOI={10.1155/2014/365432}, abstractNote={The MajoranaDemonstratorwill search for the neutrinoless double-beta(ββ0ν)decay of the isotopeGe with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. The observation of this rare decay would indicate that the neutrino is its own antiparticle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass scale of the neutrino. The Demonstratoris being assembled at the 4850-foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. The array will be situated in a low-background environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. Here we describe the science goals of the Demonstratorand the details of its design.}, journal={Advances in High Energy Physics}, author={Abgrall, N. and Aguayo, E. and Avignone, F. T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and Caldwell, A.S. and Chan, Y.-D. and et al.}, year={2014}, pages={365432} }
 @article{aguayo_amman_avignone_barabash_barton_beene_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_busch_et al._2013, title={Characteristics of signals originating near the lithium-diffused N plus contact of high purity germanium p-type point contact detectors}, volume={701}, ISSN={0168-9002}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.NIMA.2012.11.004}, DOI={10.1016/j.nima.2012.11.004}, abstractNote={A study of signals originating near the lithium-diffused n+ contact of p-type point contact (PPC) high purity germanium detectors (HPGe) is presented. The transition region between the active germanium and the fully dead layer of the n+ contact is examined. Energy depositions in this transition region are shown to result in partial charge collection. This provides a mechanism for events with a well defined energy to contribute to the continuum of the energy spectrum at lower energies. A novel technique to quantify the contribution from this source of background is introduced. Experiments that operate germanium detectors with a very low energy threshold may benefit from the methods presented herein.}, journal={Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Aguayo, E. and Amman, M. and Avignone, F.T., III and Barabash, A.S. and Barton, P.J. and Beene, J.R. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and Busch, M. and et al.}, year={2013}, pages={176–185} }
 @article{aalseth_amman_avignone_back_barabash_barbeau_bergevin_bertrand_boswell_brudanin_et al._2011, title={Astroparticle physics with a customized low-background broad energy Germanium detector}, volume={652}, ISSN={0168-9002}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.NIMA.2010.08.100}, DOI={10.1016/J.NIMA.2010.08.100}, abstractNote={The MAJORANA Collaboration is building the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR, a 60 kg array of high purity germanium detectors housed in an ultra-low background shield at the Sanford Underground Laboratory in Lead, SD. The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR will search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge while demonstrating the feasibility of a tonne-scale experiment. It may also carry out a dark matter search in the 1-10 GeV/c^2 mass range. We have found that customized Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors produced by Canberra have several desirable features for a neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment, including low electronic noise, excellent pulse shape analysis capabilities, and simple fabrication. We have deployed a customized BEGe, the MAJORANA Low-Background BEGe at Kimballton (MALBEK), in a low-background cryostat and shield at the Kimballton Underground Research Facility in Virginia. This paper will focus on the detector characteristics and measurements that can be performed with such a radiation detector in a low-background environment.}, number={1}, journal={Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Aalseth, C.E. and Amman, M. and Avignone, F.T., III and Back, H.O. and Barabash, A.S. and Barbeau, P.S. and Bergevin, M. and Bertrand, F.E. and Boswell, M. and Brudanin, V. and et al.}, year={2011}, pages={692–695} }
 @article{boswell_chan_detwiler_finnerty_henning_gehman_johnson_jordan_kazkaz_knapp_et al._2011, title={MAGE-a GEANT4-based Monte Carlo application framework for low-background germanium experiments}, volume={58}, number={3}, journal={IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science}, author={Boswell, M. and Chan, Y. D. and Detwiler, J. A. and Finnerty, P. and Henning, R. and Gehman, V. M. and Johnson, R. A. and Jordan, D. V. and Kazkaz, K. and Knapp, M. and et al.}, year={2011}, pages={1212–1220} }
 @inproceedings{aalseth_aguayo_amman_avignone_back_bai_barabash_barbeau_bergevin_bertrand_et al._2011, title={The MAJORANA Experiment}, volume={217}, ISSN={0920-5632}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2011.04.063}, DOI={10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2011.04.063}, abstractNote={The Majorana Collaboration is assembling an array of HPGe detectors to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in Ge-76. Initially, Majorana aims to construct a prototype module to demonstrate the potential of a future 1-tonne experiment. The design and potential reach of this prototype Demonstrator module are presented.}, number={1}, booktitle={Nuclear Physics. B, Proceedings, Supplements}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Aalseth, C.E. and Aguayo, E. and Amman, M. and Avignone, F.T., III and Back, H.O. and Bai, X. and Barabash, A.S. and Barbeau, P.S. and Bergevin, M. and Bertrand, F.E. and et al.}, year={2011}, pages={44–46} }