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9 pages, 17914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measurement of Ion Mobilities for the Ion-TPC of NvDEx Experiment

by Tianyu Liang, Meiqiang Zhan, Hulin Wang, Xianglun Wei, Dongliang Zhang, Jun Liu, Chengui Lu, Qiang Hu, Yichen Yang, Chaosong Gao, Le Xiao, Xiangming Sun, Feng Liu, Chengxin Zhao, Hao Qiu and Kai Chen

Universe 2025, 11(5), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11050163 - 16 May 2025

Viewed by 260

Abstract

In the N

ν

DEx collaboration, a high-pressure gas TPC is being developed to search for the neutrinoless double beta decay. The use of electronegative ⁸²SeF₆ gas mandates an ion-TPC. The reconstruction of the z coordinate is to be realized by [...] Read more.

In the N

ν

DEx collaboration, a high-pressure gas TPC is being developed to search for the neutrinoless double beta decay. The use of electronegative ⁸²SeF₆ gas mandates an ion-TPC. The reconstruction of the z coordinate is to be realized by exploiting the feature of multiple species of charge carriers. As the initial stage of the development, we studied the properties of the

{SF}_{6}

gas, which is non-toxic and has a similar molecular structure to

{SeF}_{6}

. In the paper, we present the measurement of drift velocities and mobilities of the majority and minority negative charge carriers found in

{SF}_{6}

at a pressure of 750 Torr, slightly higher than the local atmospheric pressure. The reduced fields range between 3.0 and 5.5 Td. This was performed using a laser beam to ionize the gas inside a small TPC, with a drift length of 3.7 cm. A customized charge-sensitive amplifier was developed to read out the anode signals induced by the slowly drifting ions. The closure test of the reconstruction of the z coordinate using the difference in the velocities of the two carriers was also demonstrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Double Beta Decay: Probing Fundamental Properties of Neutrinos and Beyond)

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23 pages, 9832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ion Manipulation from Liquid Xe to Vacuum: Ba-Tagging for a nEXO Upgrade and Future 0νββ Experiments

by Dwaipayan Ray, Robert Collister, Hussain Rasiwala, Lucas Backes, Ali V. Balbuena, Thomas Brunner, Iroise Casandjian, Chris Chambers, Megan Cvitan, Tim Daniels, Jens Dilling, Ryan Elmansali, William Fairbank, Daniel Fudenberg, Razvan Gornea, Giorgio Gratta, Alec Iverson, Anna A. Kwiatkowski, Kyle G. Leach, Annika Lennarz, Zepeng Li, Melissa Medina-Peregrina, Kevin Murray, Kevin O’Sullivan, Regan Ross, Raad Shaikh, Xiao Shang, Joseph Soderstrom, Victor Varentsov and Liang Yang Show full author list Hide full author list

Atoms 2024, 12(12), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms12120071 - 19 Dec 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1077

Abstract

Neutrinoless double beta decay (

0 ν β β

) provides a way to probe physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The upcoming nEXO experiment will search for

0 ν β β

decay in ¹³⁶Xe with a projected half-life sensitivity [...] Read more.

Neutrinoless double beta decay (

0 ν β β

) provides a way to probe physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The upcoming nEXO experiment will search for

0 ν β β

decay in ¹³⁶Xe with a projected half-life sensitivity exceeding

10^{28}

years at the 90% confidence level using a liquid xenon (LXe) Time Projection Chamber (TPC) filled with 5 tonnes of Xe enriched to ∼90% in the

β β

-decaying isotope ¹³⁶Xe. In parallel, a potential future upgrade to nEXO is being investigated with the aim to further suppress radioactive backgrounds and to confirm

β β

-decay events. This technique, known as Ba-tagging, comprises extracting and identifying the

β β

-decay daughter ¹³⁶Ba ion. One tagging approach being pursued involves extracting a small volume of LXe in the vicinity of a potential

β β

-decay using a capillary tube and facilitating a liquid-to-gas phase transition by heating the capillary exit. The Ba ion is then separated from the accompanying Xe gas using a radio-frequency (RF) carpet and RF funnel, conclusively identifying the ion as ¹³⁶Ba via laser-fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Simultaneously, an accelerator-driven Ba ion source is being developed to validate and optimize this technique. The motivation for the project, the development of the different aspects, along with the current status and results, are discussed here. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ion Trapping of Radioactive Ions)

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13 pages, 690 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Electron Phase Shifts on ββ-Decay Kinematics

by Ovidiu Niţescu, Stefan Ghinescu and Fedor Šimkovic

Universe 2024, 10(12), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10120442 - 30 Nov 2024

Viewed by 850

Abstract

We reexamine the angular correlation between the emitted electrons in the double beta decay (DBD) of ¹⁰⁰Mo, with particular attention to the impact of electronic wave function phase shifts. In the two-neutrino mode, the angular correlation factor increases modestly compared to calculations [...] Read more.

We reexamine the angular correlation between the emitted electrons in the double beta decay (DBD) of ¹⁰⁰Mo, with particular attention to the impact of electronic wave function phase shifts. In the two-neutrino mode, the angular correlation factor increases modestly compared to calculations without phase shifts. However, a more detailed analysis of the angular correlation energy distributions uncovered a striking feature: electrons are most likely emitted in the same direction when one of them is below a certain energy threshold. We show that this feature is absent in previous Standard Model (SM) predictions and that phase shifts could also influence the angular correlations predicted by new physics models in two-neutrino DBD. For the neutrinoless mode, the direction flip is also present when phase shifts are included in the calculation. However, the angular correlation factor does not change much when phase shifts are taken into account, though our analysis is limited to the light neutrino exchange as the dominant mechanism. These findings highlight the subtle yet significant role that phase shifts can play in shaping electron emission patterns, influencing both SM and new physics predictions in DBD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Double Beta Decay: Probing Fundamental Properties of Neutrinos and Beyond)

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12 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Sections of Neutral-Current Neutrino Scattering on ^94,96Mo Isotopes

by T. S. Kosmas, R. Sahu and V. K. B. Kota

Particles 2024, 7(4), 887-898; https://doi.org/10.3390/particles7040053 - 4 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1583

Abstract

In our recent publications, we presented neutral-current

ν

–nucleus cross-sections for the coherent and incoherent channels for some stable Mo isotopes, assuming a Mo detector medium, within the context of the deformed shell model. In these predictions, however, we have not included the [...] Read more.

In our recent publications, we presented neutral-current

ν

–nucleus cross-sections for the coherent and incoherent channels for some stable Mo isotopes, assuming a Mo detector medium, within the context of the deformed shell model. In these predictions, however, we have not included the contributions in the cross-sections stemming from the stable ^94,96Mo isotopes (abundance of ⁹⁴Mo 9.12% and of ⁹⁶Mo 16.50%). The purpose of the present work is to perform detailed calculations of

ν

–^94,96Mo scattering cross-sections, for a given energy

E_{ν}

of the incoming neutrino, for coherent and incoherent processes. In many situations, the

E_{ν}

values range from 15 to 30 MeV, and in the present work, we used

E_{ν}

= 15 MeV. Mo as a detector material has been employed by the MOON neutrino and double-beta decay experiments and also from the NEMO neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment. For our cross-section calculations, we utilize the Donnelly–Walecka multipole decomposition method in which the

ν

–nucleus cross-sections are given as a function of the excitation energy of the target nucleus. Because only the coherent cross-section is measured by current experiments, it is worth estimating what portion of the total cross-section represents the measured coherent rate. This requires the knowledge of the incoherent cross-section, which is also calculated in the present work. Full article

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40 pages, 795 KiB

Open AccessReview

Measuring a Mass: The Puzzling History of an Elusive Particle

by Elisabetta Di Grezia, Salvatore Esposito and Adele Naddeo

Universe 2024, 10(8), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10080317 - 3 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1138

Abstract

Since Pauli’s hypothesis of their existence in 1930, neutrinos never ceased to bring into play novel ideas and to add new pieces of physics in the whole picture of fundamental interactions. They are only weakly interacting and, at odds with Standard Model’s predictions, [...] Read more.

Since Pauli’s hypothesis of their existence in 1930, neutrinos never ceased to bring into play novel ideas and to add new pieces of physics in the whole picture of fundamental interactions. They are only weakly interacting and, at odds with Standard Model’s predictions, have a mass less than one millionth of the electron mass, which makes the investigation of their properties very challenging. The issue of the measurement of neutrino’s rest mass gained a wider and wider consensus since its discovery through neutrino oscillations in 1998. Various neutrino sources are available for experiments, ranging from nuclear collisions of cosmic rays in the Earth atmosphere and supernova explosions to neutrino beams produced by accelerators and power reactors. These suggest different approaches to the experimental detection and measurement of the absolute value of the neutrino mass. In this paper, we retrace the intriguing story of this endeavor, focusing mainly on direct mass determination methods. The puzzling issue of the nature of massive neutrinos is addressed as well with explicit reference to the phenomenon of double beta-decay as a viable experimental tool to discriminate between Dirac’s and Majorana’s nature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neutrinos across Different Energy Scales)

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13 pages, 1343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Investigations of ⁸²Se Using Three Shell Model Hamiltonians

by Andrei Neacsu and Mihai Horoi

Symmetry 2024, 16(8), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16080974 - 31 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1118

Abstract

Neutrinoless double-beta decay is considered one of the most promising processes that would help clarify some of the symmetry-breaking problems in our understanding of the observable universe. Recent studies of neutrinoless double-beta decay matrix elements have employed statistical approaches based on modified shell [...] Read more.

Neutrinoless double-beta decay is considered one of the most promising processes that would help clarify some of the symmetry-breaking problems in our understanding of the observable universe. Recent studies of neutrinoless double-beta decay matrix elements have employed statistical approaches based on modified shell model effective Hamiltonians for ⁴⁸Ca (Phys. Rev. C 106, 054302 (2022)) and ¹³⁶Xe (Phys. Rev. C 107, 045501 (2023)). The analyses rely on inducing perturbations in the starting effective Hamiltonians to observe the behavior of a wide range of observables, besides the

0 ν β β

) NME, that are compared with experimental data. Following a Bayesian model averaging approach, the range of probable values for the neutrinoless double-beta decay matrix elements is presented. In this paper, we present a similar study for ⁸²Se, which is described in the same model space as ⁷⁶Ge that is under experimental observation. Due to its faster calculation time compared to ⁷⁶Ge, ⁸²Se can be used as an appropriate substitute in our complex statistical study. Using the calculations performed for the statistical analysis of the neutrinoless double-beta decay matrix elements, we also search for the correlations between the observables that we can compare to experimental data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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12 pages, 1322 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improved Statistical Analysis for the Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Matrix Element of ¹³⁶Xe

by Mihai Horoi

Universe 2024, 10(6), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10060252 - 4 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 940

Abstract

Neutrinoless double beta decay nuclear matrix element (

M_{0 ν}

) for ¹³⁶Xe was recently analyzed using a statistical approach (Phys. Rev. C 107, 045501 (2023)). In the analysis, three initial shell model effective Hamiltonians were randomly altered, and their [...] Read more.

Neutrinoless double beta decay nuclear matrix element (

M_{0 ν}

) for ¹³⁶Xe was recently analyzed using a statistical approach (Phys. Rev. C 107, 045501 (2023)). In the analysis, three initial shell model effective Hamiltonians were randomly altered, and their results for 23 measured observables were used to infer credibility for the

M_{0 ν}

nuclear matrix element (NME) based on a Bayesian Model Averaging approach. In that analysis, a reasonable Gamow-Teller quenching factor of 0.7 was assumed for each starting effective Hamiltonian. Given that the result of the statistical analysis was sensible to this choice, we are here improving that analysis by assuming that the Gamow-Teller quenching factor is also randomly chosen within reasonabe limits for all three starting Hamiltonians. The outcomes are slightly higher expectation values and uncertainties for the

M_{0 ν}

NME. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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10 pages, 679 KiB

Open AccessReview

Neutrino Masses and Right-Handed Weak Currents Studied by Neutrino-Less ββ-Decay Detectors

by Saori Umehara and Hiroyasu Ejiri

Universe 2024, 10(6), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10060247 - 3 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1102

Abstract

Detecting neutrino-less double beta (

0 ν β β

) decay with high-sensitivity

0 ν β β

detectors is of current interest for studying the Majorana neutrino’s nature, the neutrino mass (

ν

-mass), right-handed weak currents (RHCs), and others beyond the Standard [...] Read more.

Detecting neutrino-less double beta (

0 ν β β

) decay with high-sensitivity

0 ν β β

detectors is of current interest for studying the Majorana neutrino’s nature, the neutrino mass (

ν

-mass), right-handed weak currents (RHCs), and others beyond the Standard Model. Many experimental groups have studied

0 ν β β

decay with

ν

-mass sensitivities on the order of 100 meV and RHC sensitivities on the order of 10

^{- 9}

–10

^{- 6}

, but no clear

0 ν β β

signals have been observed so far in these

ν

-mass and RHC regions. Thus, several experimental groups are developing higher-sensitivity detectors to explore a smaller

ν

-mass region around 15–50 meV, which corresponds to the inverted hierarchy

ν

-mass, and smaller RHC regions on the order of 10

^{- 10}

–10

^{- 7}

in the near future. Nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) for

ν

-mass and RHC processes are crucial for extracting the

ν

-mass and RHCs of particle physics interest from

0 ν β β

experiments. This report briefly reviews detector sensitivities and upper limits on the

ν

-mass and right-handed currents for several current

0 ν β β

detectors and the

ν

-mass and RHC sensitivities expected for some near-future ones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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38 pages, 6475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Theory of Majorana-Type Heavy Ion Double Charge Exchange Reactions by Pion–Nucleon Isotensor Interactions

by Horst Lenske, Jessica Bellone, Maria Colonna and Danilo Gambacurta

Universe 2024, 10(5), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10050202 - 30 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1313

Abstract

The theory of heavy ion double charge exchange (DCE) reactions proceeding by effective rank-2 isotensor interactions is presented. Virtual pion–nucleon charge exchange interactions are investigated as the source for induced isotensor interactions, giving rise to the Majorana DCE (MDCE) reaction mechanism. MDCE is [...] Read more.

The theory of heavy ion double charge exchange (DCE) reactions proceeding by effective rank-2 isotensor interactions is presented. Virtual pion–nucleon charge exchange interactions are investigated as the source for induced isotensor interactions, giving rise to the Majorana DCE (MDCE) reaction mechanism. MDCE is of a generic character, proceeding through pairs of complementary (

π^{\pm}, π^{\mp}

) reactions in the projectile and target nucleus. The dynamics of the elementary processes is discussed, where the excitation of pion–nucleon resonances are of central importance. Investigations of initial and final state ion–ion interactions show that these effects are acting as vertex renormalizations. In closure approximation, well justified by the finite pion mass, the second-order transition matrix elements reduce to pion potentials and effective two-body isotensor DCE interactions, giving rise also to two-body correlations in either of the participating nuclei. Connections to neutrinoless Majorana double beta decay (MDBD) are elucidated at various levels of the dynamics, from the underlying fundamental electro-weak and QCD scales to the physical scales of nuclear MDBD and MDCE physics. It is pointed out that heavy ion MDCE reactions may also proceed by competing electro-weak charge exchange processes, leading to lepton MDCE by electrons, positrons, and neutrinos. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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15 pages, 627 KiB

Open AccessReview

Theoretical Advances in Beta and Double-Beta Decay

by Vasile-Alin Sevestrean and Sabin Stoica

Symmetry 2024, 16(4), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16040390 - 26 Mar 2024

Viewed by 2097

Abstract

Weak interaction processes continue to be hot topics in fundamental physics research. In this paper, we briefly review some recent advances in the theoretical study of beta and double-beta decays that include both the nuclear and atomic part of these processes. On the [...] Read more.

Weak interaction processes continue to be hot topics in fundamental physics research. In this paper, we briefly review some recent advances in the theoretical study of beta and double-beta decays that include both the nuclear and atomic part of these processes. On the nuclear side, we present a statistical approach for the computation of the nuclear matrix elements (NME) for neutrinoless double-beta (

0 ν β β

). A range of NME values, the most probable value for NME, and the associated theoretical uncertainty are given. Correlations with other related observables are shown as well. On the atomic side, we first briefly review the methods used to obtain the electrons’ wave functions. Further, we use them for the computation of some relevant kinematic quantities such as Fermi functions, electron spectra, and angular correlation between the emitted electrons. Then, we present applications of these calculations to the experimental data analysis related to the search of the Lorentz invariance violation in two-neutrino double-beta (

2 ν β β

) decay and description of the decay rates and decay rate ratios for allowed and unique forbidden electron capture (EC) processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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15 pages, 534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Spin-Dependent Short-Range Correlations on Nuclear Matrix Elements for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay of ⁴⁸Ca

by Shahariar Sarkar and Yoritaka Iwata

Universe 2023, 9(10), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9100444 - 3 Oct 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1985

Abstract

Neutrinoless double beta decay is a pivotal weak nuclear process that holds the potential to unveil the Majorana nature of neutrinos and predict their absolute masses. In this study, we delve into examining the impact of spin-dependent short-range correlations (SRCs) on the nuclear [...] Read more.

Neutrinoless double beta decay is a pivotal weak nuclear process that holds the potential to unveil the Majorana nature of neutrinos and predict their absolute masses. In this study, we delve into examining the impact of spin-dependent short-range correlations (SRCs) on the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) for the light neutrino-exchange mechanism in neutrinoless double beta (

0 ν β β

) decay of

^{48}

Ca, employing an extensive interacting nuclear shell model. All computations are performed employing the effective shell model Hamiltonian GXPF1A, encompassing the entire

f p

model space through the closure approximation. Our investigation examines the NMEs’ dependencies on factors such as the number of intermediate states, coupled spin-parity attributes of neutrons and protons, neutrino momentum, inter-nucleon separation, and closure energy. This scrutiny is performed with respect to both the conventional Jastrow-type approach of SRCs, employing various parameterizations, and the spin-dependent SRC paradigm. Our findings illuminate a discernible distinction in NMEs induced by spin-dependent SRCs, differing by approximately 10–20% from those computed through the conventional Jastrow-type SRCs, incorporating distinct parameterizations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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17 pages, 4756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Response of G-NUMEN LaBr₃(Ce) Detectors to High Counting Rates

by Elisa Maria Gandolfo, José Roberto Brandao Oliveira, Luigi Campajola, Dimitra Pierroutsakou, Alfonso Boiano, Clementina Agodi, Francesco Cappuzzello, Diana Carbone, Manuela Cavallaro, Irene Ciraldo, Daniela Calvo, Franck Delaunay, Canel Eke, Fabio Longhitano, Nilberto Medina, Mauricio Moralles, Diego Sartirana, Vijay Raj Sharma, Alessandro Spatafora, Dennis Toufen and Paolo Finocchiaro Show full author list Hide full author list

Instruments 2023, 7(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments7030028 - 16 Sep 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2256

Abstract

The G-NUMEN array is the future gamma spectrometer of the NUMEN experiment (nuclear matrix element for neutrinoless double beta decay), to be installed around the object point of the MAGNEX magnetic spectrometer at the INFN-LNS laboratory. This project aims to explore double-charge exchange [...] Read more.

The G-NUMEN array is the future gamma spectrometer of the NUMEN experiment (nuclear matrix element for neutrinoless double beta decay), to be installed around the object point of the MAGNEX magnetic spectrometer at the INFN-LNS laboratory. This project aims to explore double-charge exchange (DCE) reactions in order to obtain crucial information about neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ). The primary objective of the G-NUMEN array is to detect the gamma rays emitted from the de-excitation of the excited states that are populated via DCE reactions with a good energy resolution and detection efficiency, amidst a background composed of the transitions from competing reaction channels with far higher cross sections. To achieve this, G-NUMEN signals will be processed in coincidence with those generated by the detection of reaction ejectiles by the MAGNEX focal plane detector (FPD). Under the expected experimental conditions, G-NUMEN detectors will operate at high counting rates, of the order of hundreds of kHz per detector, while maintaining excellent energy and timing resolutions. The complete array will consist of over 100 LaBr₃(Ce) scintillators. Initial tests were conducted on the first detectors of the array, allowing for the determination of their performance at high rates. Full article

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13 pages, 544 KiB

Open AccessReview

Double Beta Decay Experiments: Recent Achievements and Future Prospects

by Alexander Barabash

Universe 2023, 9(6), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9060290 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2222

Abstract

The results of experiments on the search for and study of double beta decay processes obtained over the past 5 years (from 2018 to April 2023) are discussed. The results of the search for neutrinoless double beta decay are presented, in which a [...] Read more.

The results of experiments on the search for and study of double beta decay processes obtained over the past 5 years (from 2018 to April 2023) are discussed. The results of the search for neutrinoless double beta decay are presented, in which a sensitivity of

T_{1 / 2} \sim 2 \times 10^{24}

–

2 \times 10^{26}

years (90% C.L.) has been achieved. The present conservative upper limit on effective Majorana neutrino mass

⟨ m_{ν} ⟩

was established from these experiments as 0.16 eV (90% C.L.). The results of experiments on recording and studying the processes of two-neutrino double beta decay in various nuclei (transitions to both the ground and excited states of daughter nuclei) are discussed too. The results of experiments on the search for majoron are also given. Possible progress in this field in the future is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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13 pages, 613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ordinary Muon Capture on ¹³⁶Ba: Comparative Study Using the Shell Model and pnQRPA

by Patricia Gimeno, Lotta Jokiniemi, Jenni Kotila, Marlom Ramalho and Jouni Suhonen

Universe 2023, 9(6), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9060270 - 5 Jun 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 1806

Abstract

In this work, we present a study of ordinary muon capture (OMC) on

^{136}

Ba, the daughter nucleus of

^{136}

Xe double beta decay (DBD). The OMC rates at low-lying nuclear states (below 1 MeV of excitation energy) in

^{136}

Cs are assessed [...] Read more.

In this work, we present a study of ordinary muon capture (OMC) on

^{136}

Ba, the daughter nucleus of

^{136}

Xe double beta decay (DBD). The OMC rates at low-lying nuclear states (below 1 MeV of excitation energy) in

^{136}

Cs are assessed by using both the interacting shell model (ISM) and proton–neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pnQRPA). We also add chiral two-body (2BC) meson-exchange currents and use an exact Dirac wave function for the captured s-orbital muon. OMC can be viewed as a complementary probe of the wave functions in

^{136}

Cs, the intermediate nucleus of the

^{136}

Xe DBD. At the same time, OMC can be considered a powerful probe of the effective values of weak axial-type couplings in a 100 MeV momentum exchange region, which is relevant for neutrinoless DBD. The present work represents the first attempt to compare the ISM and pnQRPA results for OMC on a heavy nucleus while also including the exact muon wave function and the 2BC. The sensitivity estimates of the current and future neutrinoless DBD experiments will clearly benefit from future OMC measurements taken using OMC calculations similar to the one presented here. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Double Beta Decay Investigations: In Honor of Prof. Sabin Stoica at His 70th Anniversary)

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3 pages, 165 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue “Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay”

by Fabio Bellini and Claudia Tomei

Universe 2022, 8(11), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe8110606 - 17 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1474

Abstract

The present Special Issue is dedicated to the long-sought-after nuclear process known as Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (NDBD), a nuclear transition characterized by the simultaneous decay of two neutrons into protons and electrons, without the emission of neutrinos [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay)

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