Search for beta+/EC double beta decay of 120Te

Search for beta+/EC double beta decay of 120Te Astrop. Phys. , 34 (2011) 603-607

We present a search for beta+/EC double beta decay of 120Te performed with the CUORICINO experiment, an array of TeO2 cryogenic bolometers. After collecting 0.0573 kg  y of 120Te, we see no evidence of a signal and therefore set the following limits on the half-life: T0nu 1/2 > 1.9 x10^21 y at 90% C.L. for the 0nu mode and T2nu1/2 > 7.6 x10^19 y at 90% C.L. for the 2nu mode. These results improve the existing limits by almost three orders of magnitude (four in the case of 0mu mode).