Neutrinoless double-beta decay and related topics

Journal Article · Fri Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physics of Particles and Nuclei

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063779611040137· OSTI ID:22981728

Šimkovic, F. ^[1]

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1. BLTP, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Moscow region (Russian Federation)

The fundamental importance of searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ-decay) is widely recognized. Observation of the decay would tell us that the total lepton number is not conserved and that, consequently, neutrinos are massive Majorana fermions. A brief history of the double-beta decay is presented. The 0νββ-decay is discussed in context of neutrino oscillation data. The perspectives of the experimental 0νββ-decay searches are analyzed. The importance of reliable determination of the 0νββ-decay nuclear matrix elements is pointed out. The problem of distinguishing of the light-neutrino exchange, heavy-neutrino exchange and the trilinear R-parity breaking supersymmetric (R̸{sub p} SUSY) mechanisms of the 0νββ-decay is addressed. Further, the process of resonant neutrinoless double-electron capture (0νɛɛ) is revisited. Arguments are presented that an experimental search for the 0νɛɛ might be feasible.

• OSTI ID: 22981728
• Journal Information: Physics of Particles and Nuclei, Journal Name: Physics of Particles and Nuclei Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 42; ISSN 1063-7796
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ELECTRON CAPTURE
LEPTON NUMBER
MAJORANA FERMIONS
MATRIX ELEMENTS
NEUTRINO OSCILLATION
NEUTRINOLESS DOUBLE BETA DECAY
NUCLEAR MATRIX