Probing particle and nuclear physics models of neutrinoless double beta decay with different nuclei

Abstract

Half-life estimates for neutrinoless double beta decay depend on particle physics models for lepton flavor violation, as well as on nuclear physics models for the structure and transitions of candidate nuclei. Different models considered in the literature can be contrasted - via prospective data - with a "standard" scenario characterized by light Majorana neutrino exchange and by the quasiparticle random phase approximation, for which the theoretical covariance matrix has been recently estimated. We show that, assuming future half-life data in four promising nuclei (Ge-76, Se-82, Te-130, and Xe-136), the standard scenario can be distinguished from a few nonstandard physics models, while being compatible with alternative state-of-the-art nuclear calculations (at 95% C.L.). Future signals in different nuclei may thus help to discriminate at least some decay mechanisms, without being spoiled by current nuclear uncertainties. Prospects for possible improvements are also discussed.

Minor corrections in the text, references added. Matches published version in Phys. Rev. D 80, 015024 (2009)

References in corpus (6)

• Double Beta Decay, Majorana Neutrinos, and Neutrino Mass
• Anatomy of nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double-beta decay
• Erratum: Assessment of uncertainties in QRPA $0\nu \beta \beta$-decay nuclear matrix elements [Nucl. Phys. A 766, 107 (2006)]
• Pinning down the mechanism of neutrinoless double beta decay with measurements in different nuclei
• Multiple-Isotope Comparison for Determining Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Mechanisms
• $0\nu \beta \beta$ nuclear matrix elements and the occupancy of individual orbits