Double beta decay

Journal Article · Mon Nov 26 04:00:00 EST 2007 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2825777· OSTI ID:21039385

Stekl, Ivan ^[1]

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1. Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, CTU in Prague, Horska 3a, 128 00 Prague 2 (Czech Republic)

The subjects of the two-neutrino (2{nu}{beta}{beta}) and neutrinoless double beta (0{nu}{beta}{beta}) decays are introduced. The main theoretical and experimental issues related to the double beta decay are discussed. It is stressed that the study of the 0{nu}{beta}{beta} decay is the most important source of information about the Majorana nature of neutrinos. In addition, the 0{nu}{beta}{beta}-decay half-life can constrain the absolute neutrino mass-scale and the neutrino mass pattern. Morever, the Majorana CP-violating phases, which might be responsible for the matter asymmetry of the Universe, could be deduced from the measured 0{nu}{beta}{beta}-decay rate, once this process will be observed. One can conclude that the double beta decay is an important process for the fields of nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.

• OSTI ID: 21039385
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 958; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ASTROPHYSICS
ASYMMETRY
COSMOLOGY
CP INVARIANCE
DOUBLE BETA DECAY
HALF-LIFE
NEUTRINO OSCILLATION
NEUTRINOS
REST MASS
UNIVERSE