The GERmanium Detector Array (Gerda) for the search of neutrinoless ββ decays of 76Ge at LNGS

This paper describes the proposed Gerda experiment, the GERmanium Detector Array for the search of neutrinoless ββ decays of 76Ge at LNGS. The goal of the Gerda project is to operate bare germanium diodes enriched in 76Ge in an (optional active) cryogenic fluid shield with a sensitivity for neutrinoless ββ decay of T1/2>2⋅1026 years after an exposure of 100 kg ⋅ years.