Cryogenic Detectors for Rare Alpha Decay Search: A New Approach

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.