© 2017 IEEE. We report a model that can be used to calculate superconducting transition temperature of a transition-edge sensor (TES), which is either a normal metal-superconductor-normal metal trilayer or a normal metal-superconductor bilayer. The model allows the T-{C} estimation of a trilayer when the normal metals at the bottom and at the top are different. Furthermore, the model includes the spin flip time of the normal metals. We use the T-{C} calculations from this model for selected Ir-based trilayers and bilayers to help understand potential designs of low T-{C} TESs. A Au/Ir/Au trilayer can have a low T-{C} because the superconducting order parameter is reduced with normal metals at both sides. On the other hand, an Ir/Pt bilayer can have a low T-{C} because the much larger electron density of states of Pt reduces the superconducting order parameter more effectively. Moreover, the spin flip scattering of paramagnetic Pt also contributes to the T-{C} reduction.

© 2003, Springer-Verlag, Società Italiana di Fisica. The search for neutrinoless double beta decay (DBD-0ν) is a powerful tool to establish the correct neutrino mass hierarchy and whether the neutrino is a Majorana or Dirac particle. The Milano group has run several experiments using thermal detectors to search for the 130Te DBD-0ν. The Cuoricino experiment consists of an array of 62 TeO2 thermal detectors for a total mass of about 40 kg, by far the largest cryogenic experiment in the world. The detector installation in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory has been recently completed. After a test phase the experiment is now taking data and we report here the preliminary results. Cuoricino is the first step toward the CUORE experiment, which will consists of 1000 TeO2 thermal detectors for a total mass of about 760 kg: in this paper we discuss also the physics potential of both stages for what concerns the DBD-0ν search. PACS: 11.30.Fs Lepton number – 14.60.Pq Neutrino mass and mixing – 23.40.Bw Weak interactions in beta decay

The CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) experiment will search for neutrinoless double beta decay in130Te. Observation of the process would unambiguously establish that neutrinos are Majorana particles as well as provide information about the absolute neutrino mass scale and mass hierarchy.The CUORE setup will consist of an array of 988 tellurium dioxide crystals (containing 206 kg of130Te in total), operated as bolometers at a temperature of ∼10mK. The experiment is now under construction at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy. As a first step towards CUORE, a tower (CUORE-0) has been assembled and is taking data. Here a detailed description of the CUORE-0 tower and its performance is reported. The status of the CUORE experiment and its expected sensitivity will then be discussed. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

© 2015 Elsevier B.V.. CUORE is a 741 kg array of TeO2bolometers for the search of neutrinoless double beta decay of130Te. 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 a 1σ half life sensitivity of 1026y. CUORE-0 is a smaller experiment constructed to test and demonstrate the performances expected for CUORE. 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.