Investigation of double beta decay of $^{58}$Ni at the Modane Underground Laboratory

International audienceInvestigation of double beta decay processes (β+EC, EC/EC) of 58Ni was performed at the Modane underground laboratory (LSM, France, 4800 m w.e.). A sample of natural nickel, containing ∼68% of 58Ni and a mass of ∼21.7 kg, was measured using ultra low-background HPGe detector Obelix (sensitive volume of 600 cm3) during ∼143.8 days. New experimental limits on 2νβ+EC decay of 58Ni to the ground 0+ and (math), 811 keV excited state of 58Fe, and 2νEC/EC decay of 58Ni to (math), 811 keV and (maht), 1 675 keV excited states of 58Fe were obtained in this measurement. There are -T1/2(β+EC, 0+ → 0+) > 1.7 × 1022 y; (math), (math), (math). For resonant neutrino-less radiative EC/EC decay with energy of 1 918.3 keV a new experimental limit of T1/2 (0νEC/EC – res, 1918KeV) > 4.1 ×1022 y was also obtained. All limits are at 90 % CL