First search for double β decay of dysprosium

A search for double β decay of dysprosium was realized for the first time with the help of an ultra-low background HP Ge γ detector. After 2512 h of data taking with a 322 g sample of dysprosium oxide limits on double beta processes in 156Dy and 158Dy have been established on the level of T⩾1014-1016 yr. Possible resonant double electron captures in 156Dy and 158Dy were restricted on a similar level. As a by-product of the experiment we have measured the radioactive contamination of the Dy2O3 sample and set limits on the α decay of dysprosium isotopes to the excited levels of daughter nuclei as T⩾1015-1017 yr

Search for rare processes at Gran Sasso

New results achieved by the DAMA collaboration on the search for rare processes in the underground Gran Sasso National Laboratories (LNGS) of the INFN are presented. In particular, the following searches have been summarized: i) search for the alpha activity of Eu-151; ii) measurement of 2 beta 2 nu decay of Mo-100 to the first excited 0(1)(+) level of Ru-100; iii) search for double beta processes ill Zn-64