The past few decades have seen major developments in the design and operation of cryogenic particle detectors. This technology offers an extremely good energy resolution, comparable to semiconductor detectors, and a wide choice of target materials, making low temperature calorimetric detectors ideal for a variety of particle physics applications. Rare event searches have continued to require ever greater exposures, which has driven them to ever larger cryogenic detectors, with the CUORE experiment being the first to reach a tonne-scale, mK-cooled, experimental mass. CUORE, designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay, has been operational since 2017 at a temperature of about 10 mK. This result has been attained by the use of an unprecedentedly large cryogenic infrastructure called the CUORE cryostat: conceived, designed and commissioned for this purpose. In this article the main characteristics and features of the cryogenic facility developed for the CUORE experiment are highlighted. A brief introduction of the evolution of the field and of the past cryogenic facilities are given. The motivation behind the design and development of the CUORE cryogenic facility is detailed as are the steps taken toward realization, commissioning, and operation of the CUORE cryostat. The major challenges overcome by the collaboration and the solutions implemented throughout the building of the cryogenic facility will be discussed along with the potential improvements for future facilities. The success of CUORE has opened the door to a new generation of large-scale cryogenic facilities in numerous fields of science. Broader implications of the incredible feat achieved by the CUORE collaboration on the future cryogenic facilities in various fields ranging from neutrino and dark matter experiments to quantum computing will be examined.

Abstract We report on a search for double beta decay of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$ 130Te to the first $$0^{+}$$ 0+ excited state of $$^{130}\hbox {Xe}$$ 130Xe using a $$9.8\,\hbox {kg}\cdot \hbox {yr}$$ 9.8kg·yr exposure of $$^{130}\hbox {Te}$$ 130Te collected with the CUORE-0 experiment. In this work we exploit different topologies of coincident events to search for both the neutrinoless and two-neutrino double beta decay modes. We find no evidence for either mode and place lower bounds on the half-lives: $$T^{0\nu }_{0^+_1}>7.9\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+0ν>7.9·1023yr and $$T^{2\nu }_{0^+_1}>2.4\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+2ν>2.4·1023yr ($$90\%\,\hbox {CL}$$ 90%CL ). Combining our results with those obtained by the CUORICINO experiment, we achieve the most stringent constraints available for these processes: $$T^{0\nu }_{0^+_1}>1.4\cdot 10^{24}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+0ν>1.4·1024yr and $$T^{2\nu }_{0^+_1}>2.5\cdot 10^{23}\hbox {yr}$$ T01+2ν>2.5·1023yr ($$90\%\,\hbox {CL}$$ 90%CL ).

The CUORE experiment, a ton-scale cryogenic bolometer array, recently began operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The array represents a significant advancement in this technology, and in this work we apply it for the first time to a high-sensitivity search for a lepton-number-violating process: ^{130}Te neutrinoless double-beta decay. Examining a total TeO_{2} exposure of 86.3 kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of (7.7±0.5)  keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of (0.014±0.002)  counts/(keV kg yr), we find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Including systematic uncertainties, we place a lower limit on the decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.3×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.); the median statistical sensitivity of this search is 7.0×10^{24}  yr. Combining this result with those of two earlier experiments, Cuoricino and CUORE-0, we find T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.5×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.), which is the most stringent limit to date on this decay. Interpreting this result as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, we find m_{ββ}<(110-520)  meV, where the range reflects the nuclear matrix element estimates employed.

With their excellent energy resolution, efficiency, and intrinsic radio-purity, cryogenic calorimeters are primed for the search of neutrino-less double beta decay (0nDBD). The sensitivity of these devices could be further increased by discriminating the dominant alpha background from the expected beta-like signal. The CUPID-0 collaboration aims at demonstrating that the measurement of the scintillation light produced by the absorber crystals allows for particle identification and, thus, for a complete rejection of the alpha background. The CUPID-0 detector, assembled in 2016 and now in data-taking, consists of 26 Zn ^82 Se scintillating calorimeters for about 2 × 10^25 0nDBD emitters. In this contribution we present the preliminary results obtained with the detector and the perspectives for a next generation project.

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is an experiment to search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) in 130Te and other rare processes. CUORE is a cryogenic detector composed of 988 TeO2 bolometers for a total mass of about 741 kg. The detector is being constructed at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy, where it will start taking data in 2015. If the target background of 0.01 counts/(keV·kg·y) will be reached, in five years of data taking CUORE will have an half life sensitivity around 1 × 1026 y at 90% C.L. As a first step towards CUORE a smaller experiment CUORE-0, constructed to test and demonstrate the performances expected for CUORE, has been assembled and is running. The detector is a single tower of 52 CUORE-like bolometers that started taking data in spring 2013. The status and perspectives of CUORE will be discussed, and the first CUORE-0 data will be presented.

Neutrino oscillation experiments proved that neutrinos have mass and this enhanced the interest in neutrinoless double-beta decay (0v beta beta). The observation of this very rare hypothetical decay would prove the leptonic number violation and would give us indications about neutrinos mass hierarchy and absolute mass scale. CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) is an array of 988 crystals of TeO2, for a total sensitive mass of 741 kg. Its goal is the observation of 0v beta beta of Te-130. The crystals, placed into the a dilution cryostat, are operated as bolometers at a temperature close to 10 mK. CUORE commissioning phase has been concluded recently in Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy, and data taking is expected to start in spring 2017. If target background rate is reached (0.01counts/day/keV/kg), the sensibility of CUORE will be, in five years of data taking, T-1/2 similar or equal to 10(26) years (1 sigma CL). In order to test the quality of materials and optimize the construction procedures, the collaboration realized CUORE-0, that took data from spring of 2013 to summer 2015. Here, after a brief description of CUORE, I report its commissioning status and CUORE-0 results.

We report on the measurement of the two-neutrino double-beta decay half-life of \(^{130}\)Te with the CUORE-0 detector. From an exposure of 33.4 kg year of TeO\(_2\), the half-life is determined to be \(T_{1/2}^{2\nu }\) = [8.2 ± 0.2 (stat.) ± 0.6 (syst.)] \(\times \) 10\(^{20}\) year. This result is obtained after a detailed reconstruction of the sources responsible for the CUORE-0 counting rate, with a specific study of those contributing to the \(^{130}\)Te neutrinoless double-beta decay region of interest.

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is a ton-scale double beta decay experiment based on TeO2 cryogenic bolometers and is currently in the last construction stage at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS). Its primary goal is to observe neutrino-less double beta decay of 130Te, however thanks to the ultra-low background and large projected exposure it could also be suitable for other rare event searches, as the detection of solar axions, neutrinos from type II supernovae or direct detection of dark matter. The sensitivity for these searches will depend on the performance achieved at the low energy threshold. For this reason a trigger algorithm based on continuous data filtering has been developed which will allow lowering the threshold down to the few keV region. The new trigger has been tested in CUORE-0, a single-tower CUORE prototype consisting of 52 TeO2 bolometers and recently concluded, and here we present the results in terms of trigger efficiency, data selection and low-energy calibration.

CUORE is a cryogenic detector consisting of 988 TeO2 crystals, 750 g each, and will be operated at a temperature of ∼10 mK, to search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) of 130Te. The detector, in the final stages of construction at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy), will start its operations in 2016. CUORE-0, its pilot experiment, has proven the feasibility of CUORE, demonstrating that the target background of 0.01 counts/keV/kg/y and the energy resolution of 5 keV are within reach. CUORE-0 also made the most precise measurement of the 2νββ decay. The expected sensitivity of CUORE to the 0νββ130Te half-life is 9 ·1025y, for 5 years of data taking. Here, we report the most recent results of CUORE-0, their implications for CUORE, and the current status of the CUORE experiment.

We describe in detail the methods used to obtain the lower bound on the lifetime of neutrinoless double-beta (0 nu beta beta) decay in Te-130 and the associated limit on the effective Majorana mass of the neutrino using the CUORE-0 detector. CUORE-0 is a bolometric detector array located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso that was designed to validate the background reduction techniques developed for CUORE, a next-generation experiment scheduled to come online in 2016. CUORE-0 is also a competitive 0 nu beta beta decay search in its own right and functions as a platform to further develop the analysis tools and procedures to be used in CUORE. These include data collection, event selection and processing, as well as an evaluation of signal efficiency. In particular, we describe the amplitude evaluation, thermal gain stabilization, energy calibration methods, and the analysis event selection used to create our final 0 nu beta beta search spectrum. We define our high level analysis procedures, with emphasis on the new insights gained and challenges encountered. We outline in detail our fitting methods near the hypothesized 0 nu beta beta decay peak and catalog the main sources of systematic uncertainty. Finally, we derive the 0 nu beta beta decay half-life limits previously reported for CUORE-0, T-1/2(0 nu) > 2.7 x 10(24) yr, and in combination with the Cuoricino limit, T-1/2(0 nu) > 4.0 x 10(24) yr.

The R D activity performed during the last years proved the potential of ZnSe scintillating bolometers to the search for neutrino-less double beta decay, motivating the realization of the first large-mass experiment based on this technology: CUPID-0. The isotopic enrichment in ^82 Se, the Zn ^82 Se crystals growth, as well as the light detectors production have been accomplished, and the experiment is now in construction at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy). In this paper we present the results obtained testing the first three Zn ^82 Se crystals operated as scintillating bolometers, and we prove that their performance in terms of energy resolution, background rejection capability and intrinsic radio-purity complies with the requirements of CUPID-0.

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (0 nu beta beta) is a rare nuclear transition that if it occurs at all it will be very important for the exploration of the inverted hierarchy region of the neutrino mass pattern. The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is an experiment that aims to search for such a transition in 130 Te together with other rare processes. In the present paper we will describe the basic features of CUORE Experiment, the status of the experiment as well as the latest results obtained from CUORE-0 detector, a smaller scale experiment constructed to test and demonstrate the expected performances of CUORE.

The CUORE experiment will search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 130Te with an array of 988 TeO2 bolometers arranged in 19 towers. CUORE-0, the first tower assembled according to the CUORE procedures, was built and commissioned at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, and took data from March 2013 to March 2015. In this paper we describe the design, construction and operation of the CUORE-0 experiment, with an emphasis on the improvements made over a predecessor experiment, Cuoricino. In particular, we demonstrate with CUORE-0 data that the design goals of CUORE are within reach.

The R&D activity performed during the last years proved the potential of ZnSe scintillating bolometers to the search for neutrino-less double beta decay, motivating the realization of the first large-mass experiment based on this technology: CUPID-0. The isotopic enrichment in [Formula: see text]Se, the Zn[Formula: see text]Se crystals growth, as well as the light detectors production have been accomplished, and the experiment is now in construction at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy). In this paper we present the results obtained testing the first three Zn[Formula: see text]Se crystals operated as scintillating bolometers, and we prove that their performance in terms of energy resolution, background rejection capability and intrinsic radio-purity complies with the requirements of CUPID-0.

The detection of \(^{148}\)Sm alpha decay with a precise measured half-life of \(\left( {6.4_{-1.3}^{+1.2} }\right) \times 10^{15}y\) and a Q-value of 1987.3 \(\pm \) 0.5 keV was achieved by a new experimental approach, where a conventional ZnWO\(_{4}\) scintillating crystal doped with enriched \(^{148}\)Sm isotope is operated as a cryogenic scintillating bolometer (phonon and light channel) at mK-temperatures.

Neutrinoless double-beta (0 gamma beta beta) decay is a hypothesized lepton-number-violating process that offers the only known means of asserting the possible Majorana nature of neutrino mass. The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is an upcoming experiment designed to search for 0 gamma beta beta decay of Te-130 using an array of 988 TeO2 crystal bolometers operated at 10 mK. The detector will contain 206 kg of Te-130 and have an average energy resolution of 5 keV; the projected 0 gamma beta beta decay half-life sensitivity after five years of livetime is 1.6 x 10 2(6) y at 1 sigma (9.5 x 10(25) y at the 90% confidence level), which corresponds to an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass in the range 40-100 meV (50-130 meV). In this paper, we review the experimental techniques used in CUORE as well as its current status and anticipated physics reach.

The CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) experiment will search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te. With 741 kg of TeO2 crystals and an excellent energy resolution of 5 keV (0.2%) at the region of interest, CUORE will be one of the most competitive neutrinoless double beta decay experiments on the horizon. With five years of live time, CUORE projected neutrinoless double beta decay half-life sensitivity is 1.6 × 1026 y at 1σ (9.5 × 1025 y at the 90% confidence level), which corresponds to an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass in the range 40–100 meV (50–130 meV). Further background rejection with auxiliary light detector can significantly improve the search sensitivity and competitiveness of bolometric detectors to fully explore the inverted neutrino mass hierarchy with 130Te and possibly other double beta decay candidate nuclei.

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is a ton-scale experiment made of TeO2 bolometers that will probe the neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te. Excellent energy resolution, low threshold and low background make CUORE sensitive to nuclear recoils, allowing a search for dark matter interactions. With a total mass of 741 kg of TeO2, CUORE can search for an annual modulation of the counting rate at low energies. We present data obtained with CUORE-like detectors and the prospects for a dark matter search in CUORE-0, a 40-kg prototype, and CUORE.

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is an upcoming experiment designed to search for the neutrinoless double-beta decays. Observation of the process would unambiguously establish that neutrinos are Majorana particles and provide information on their absolute mass scale hierarchy. CUORE is now under construction and will consist of an array of 988 TeO2 crystal bolometers operated at 10 mK, but the first tower (CUORE-0) is already taking data. The experimental techniques used will be presented as well as the preliminary CUORE-0 results. The current status of the full-mass experiment and its expected sensitivity will then be discussed.