Search for double-β decay of 130Te to the first 0 + excited state of 130Xe with the CUORICINO experiment bolometer array

The CUORICINO experiment was an array of 62 TeO2 single-crystal bolometers with a total Te-130 mass of 11.3 kg. The experiment finished in 2008 after more than 3 yr of active operating time. Searches for both 0 nu and 2 nu double-beta decay to the first excited 0(+) state in Xe-130 were performed by studying different coincidence scenarios. The analysis was based on data representing a total exposure of N(Te-130)center dot t = 9.5 x 10(25) yr. No evidence for a signal was found. The resulting lower limits on the half-lives are T-1/2(2 nu) (Te-130 -> Xe-130*) > 1.3 x 10(23) yr (90% C.L.), and T-1/2(0 nu) (Te-130 -> Xe-130*) > 9.4 x 10(23) yr (90% CL).