Introductory remarks on double beta decay and nuclear physics
The particle physics aspects of double beta decay and the theory of the phenomenon are briefly reviewed. The distinction between Dirac and Majorana neutrinos is drawn by comparing the neutrino that accompanies a negatively charged lepton in some hadronic decay process with that which accompanies a positively charged lepton in some other decay process. Two modes of double beta decay are examined - one emitting two neutrinos and the other emitting no neutrinos. What can be learned from the existing data on double beta decay is considered, de-emphasizing the question of bounds on neutrino mass and concentrating on the properties of the phenomenon itself. Possible future experiments are anticipated. 16 refs. (LEW)
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5382679
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-86-2744; CONF-8606205-1; ON: DE86015341
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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DOUBLE BETA DECAY
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FERMIONS
FUNCTIONS
GERMANIUM 76
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INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
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LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION
LEPTONS
MAJORANA THEORY
MASS
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MATRIX ELEMENTS
NEUTRINOS
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SELENIUM ISOTOPES
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TELLURIUM 128
TELLURIUM 130
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