Why search for double beta decay

Conference · Wed Apr 20 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:5122157

Kayser, B

Searching for neutrinoless double beta decay is the only known practical method for trying to determine whether neutrinos are their own antiparticles. The theoretical motivation for supposing that they may indeed be their own antiparticles is described. The reason that it is so difficult to ascertain experimentally whether they are or are not is explained, as is the special sensitivity of neutrinoless double beta decay. The potential implications of the observation of this reaction for neutrino mass and for the physics of neutrinos is discussed.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5122157
• Report Number(s): LBL-25122; CONF-880173-4; CONF-880173-; ON: DE88010984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645203 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Theoretical-- Weak Interactions & Properties
653005* -- Nuclear Theory-- Radioactive Decay
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
BETA DECAY
BETA-MINUS DECAY
DECAY
DOUBLE BETA DECAY
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
FIELD THEORIES
GRAND UNIFIED THEORY
LEPTONS
MAJORANA THEORY
MASS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEUTRINOS
PARTICLE MODELS
REST MASS
UNIFIED GAUGE MODELS
UNIFIED-FIELD THEORIES