Geo-neutrino studies are based on theoretical estimates of geo-neutrino spectra. We propose a method for a direct measurement of the energy distribution of antineutrinos from decays of long-lived radioactive isotopes. We present preliminary results f
or the geo-neutrinos from Bi-214 decay, a process which accounts for about one half of the total geo-neutrino signal. The feeding probability of the lowest state of Bi-214 - the most important for geo-neutrino signal - is found to be p_0 = 0.177 pm 0.004 (stat) ^{+0.003}_{-0.001} (sys), under the hypothesis of Universal Neutrino Spectrum Shape (UNSS). This value is consistent with the (indirect) estimate of the Table of Isotopes (ToI). We show that achievable larger statistics and reduction of systematics should allow to test possible distortions of the neutrino spectrum from that predicted using the UNSS hypothesis. Implications on the geo-neutrino signal are discussed.
The deepest hole that has ever been dug is about 12 km deep. Geochemists analyze samples from the Earths crust and from the top of the mantle. Seismology can reconstruct the density profile throughout all Earth, but not its composition. In this respe
ct, our planet is mainly unexplored. Geo-neutrinos, the antineutrinos from the progenies of U, Th and K40 decays in the Earth, bring to the surface information from the whole planet, concerning its content of natural radioactive elements. Their detection can shed light on the sources of the terrestrial heat flow, on the present composition, and on the origins of the Earth. Geo-neutrinos represent a new probe of our planet, which can be exploited as a consequence of two fundamental advances that occurred in the last few years: the development of extremely low background neutrino detectors and the progress on understanding neutrino propagation. We review the status and the prospects of the field.
