Limit on lepton nonconservation and neutrino mass from double beta decay

Journal Article · Mon Jan 28 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.54.281· OSTI ID:5991507

Caldwell, D O; Eisberg, R M; Grumm, D M; Hale, D L; Witherell, M S; Goulding, F S; Landis, D A; Madden, N W; Malone, D F; Pehl, R H; Smith, A R

A lower limit of 5 x 10/sup 22/ yr (68% confidence level) has been obtained for the half-life of the neutrinoless double beta decay of /sup 76/Ge. This process would require lepton-number nonconservation and that the electron neutrino have a mass and/or the weak interaction have right-handed currents. Ge detectors of 178 and 158 cm/sup 3/ were used inside a NaI active shield for 1618 h. The radioactivity background was kept so low that, despite operating above ground, there were only 2 x 10/sup -3/ counts/keVxh total at the expected 2.041-MeV peak.

• Research Organization: Physics Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106
• OSTI ID: 5991507
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 54:4; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645102* -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Experimental-- Weak Interactions & Properties
651622 -- Nuclear Properties & Reactions
A=59-89
Experimental-- Radioactive Decay-- (-1987)
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
BETA DECAY
DECAY
ELECTRON NEUTRINOS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FERMIONS
GERMANIUM 76
GERMANIUM ISOTOPES
HALF-LIFE
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LEPTON NUMBER
LEPTONS
MASS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
NEUTRINOS
NUCLEI
STABLE ISOTOPES