Monte Carlo evaluation of the muon-induced background in the GERDA double beta decay experiment

The new generation of experiments searching for neutrinoless double beta decay is aiming at a background level of 10(-3) counts/(kg keV y) or better at the respective Q-values. Cosmic ray muons can be a significant contribution due to a number of physics processes. The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA, located at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory in Italy, uses germanium enriched in Ge-76 as source and detector material. Germanium is submerged into liquid nitrogen or argon that acts as cooling medium and radiation shield simultaneously. A detailed GEANT4-based Monte Carlo simulation was performed to calculate the photon and neutron fluxes induced by cosmic ray muons. The prompt background contributions from gamma-ray and neutron interactions as well as the delayed contributions due to the production of radioactive isotopes within the setup are given. The background can be reduced to the desired level with the muon veto system incorporated in the GERDA design. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.