Application of PbWO4 crystal scintillators in experiment to search for 2β2β decay of 116Cd

Lead tungstate (PbWO4) crystal scintillators are discussed as an active shield and light guides in 116Cd double-beta decay experiment with Cadmium tungstate (CdWO4) scintillators. Scintillation properties and radioactive contamination of PbWO4 scintillators were investigated. Energy resolution of CdWO4 detector, coupled to PbWO4 light guide, was tested. Efficiency of PbWO4-based active shield to suppress background from the internal contamination of PbWO4 crystals, as well as possible contribution from radioactivity of copper shield and phototubes were calculated. Using of lead tungstate crystal scintillators as high-efficiency 4π4π active shield could allow to build sensitive 2β2β experiment (T1/20ν2β∼1026yr) to search for 0ν2β0ν2β decay of 116Cd with 116CdWO4 crystal scintillators.