False Starts in History of Searches for 2β Decay, or Discoverless Double Beta Decay

Tretyak, V. I.

doi:10.1063/1.3671051

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…Half a century later, in 2001, the Heidelberg-Moscow Collaboration reported a half-life limit about ten orders of magnitude more stringent, using 76 Ge as ββ emitter: T 0ν 1/2 > 1.9 × 10 25 years [1]. It is, also, a history plagued by frequent claimed discoveries (see, for example, [162]) that have been later disproved by subsequent experiments. This observation alone reflects how difficult it is to search for ββ0ν.…”

Section: -Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The search for neutrinoless double beta decay

Gomez-Cadenas,

Martin-Albo,

Mezzetto

et al. 2011

Preprint

126

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In the last two decades the search for neutrinoless double beta decay has evolved into one of the highest priorities for understanding neutrinos and the origin of mass. The main reason for this paradigm shift has been the discovery of neutrino oscillations, which clearly established the existence of massive neutrinos. An additional motivation for conducting such searches comes from the existence of an unconfirmed, but not refuted, claim of evidence for neutrinoless double decay in 76 Ge. As a consequence, a new generation of experiments, employing different detection techniques and ββ isotopes, is being actively promoted by experimental groups across the world. In addition, nuclear theorists are making remarkable progress in the calculation of the neutrinoless double beta decay nuclear matrix elements, thus eliminating a substantial part of the theoretical uncertainties affecting the particle physics interpretation of this process. In this report, we review the main aspects of the double beta decay process and some of the most relevant experiments. The picture that emerges is one where searching for neutrinoless double beta decay is recognized to have both far-reaching theoretical implications and promising prospects for experimental observation in the near future. PACS 23.40.-s -β decay; double β decay; electron and muon capture. PACS 14.60.Pq -Neutrino mass and mixing.

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Section: -Conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The search for neutrinoless double beta decay

Gomez-Cadenas,

Martin-Albo,

Mezzetto

et al. 2011

Preprint

126

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“…We also cover the connection between 0νββ decay and long-standing questions regarding the basic ingredients of matter and fundamental Standard Model symmetries. More details on the history of 0νββ decay are discussed in Barabash (2011), Tretyak (2011), De Bianchi (2018), and Vissani (2021).…”

Section: Historical Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first limit T 1/2 > 3 • 10 15 yr was made with 124 Sn in Geiger counters (Fireman, 1948). Follow-on direct experiments (Fireman, 1949;Fireman and Schwarzer, 1952;Fremlin and Walters, 1952;Kalkstein and Libby, 1952;Lawson, 1951;McCarthy, 1953McCarthy, , 1955Pearce and Darby, 1952) incorporated proportional counters, scintillators, Wilson chambers, and nuclear emulsions using several isotopes, and included some positive claims (Fireman, 1949;Fremlin and Walters, 1952;McCarthy, 1953McCarthy, , 1955 that were disproved in more sensitive experiments (a theme that has repeated itself throughout the history of double-beta decay experiments, see Tretyak (2011)). Meanwhile geochemical searches Reynolds, 1949, 1950;Levine et al, 1950) yielded very strong limits, as well as the first observation of ββ decay of 130 Te with a half-life of 1.4 • 10 21 yr (Inghram and Reynolds, 1950), consistent with rate of Goeppert-Mayer's 2νββ decay.…”

Section: Historical Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless double-beta decay

Agostini¹,

Benato²,

Detwiler³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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The discovery of neutrinoless double-beta decay could soon be within reach. This hypothetical ultra-rare nuclear decay is a portal to new physics beyond the Standard Model. Its observation would constitute the discovery of a matter-creating process, corroborating leading theories of why the universe contains more matter than antimatter, and how the forces unify at high energy scales. It would also prove that neutrinos and antineutrinos are not two distinct particles, but can transform into each other, generating their own mass in the process. The recognition that neutrinos are not massless necessitates an explanation and has boosted interest in neutrinoless double-beta decay. The field is now at a turning point. A new round of experiments is currently being prepared for the next decade to cover an important region of parameter space. Advancements in nuclear theory are laying the groundwork to connect the nuclear decay with the underlying new physics. Meanwhile, the particle theory landscape continues to find new motivations for neutrinos to be their own antiparticle. This review brings together the experimental, nuclear theory, and particle theory aspects connected to neutrinoless double-beta decay, to explore the path toward -and beyond -its discovery.

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“…We also cover the connection between 0νββ decay and long-standing questions regarding the basic ingredients of matter and fundamental standard-model symmetries. More details on the history of 0νββ decay were discussed by , Tretyak (2011), De Bianchi (2018), and Vissani (2021).…”

Section: Historical Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first limit T 1=2 > 3 × 10 15 yr was made with 124 Sn in Geiger counters (Fireman, 1948). Follow-on direct experiments (Fireman, 1949;Lawson, 1951;Fireman and Schwarzer, 1952;Fremlin and Walters, 1952;Kalkstein and Libby, 1952;Pearce and Darby, 1952;McCarthy, 1953McCarthy, , 1955 incorporated proportional counters, scintillators, Wilson chambers, and nuclear emulsions using several isotopes and included some positive claims (Fireman, 1949;Fremlin and Walters, 1952;McCarthy, 1953McCarthy, , 1955 that were disproved in more sensitive experiments, a theme that has repeated itself throughout the history of double-beta decay experiments; see Tretyak (2011). Meanwhile, geochemical searches Reynolds, 1949, 1950;Levine, Ghiorso, and Seaborg, 1950), which are sensitive only to the combination of 0νββ and 2νββ decay and not to each of them separately, yielded strong limits, as well as the first observation of ββ decay of 130 Te with a half-life of 1.4 × 10 21 yr (Inghram and Reynolds, 1950), which is consistent with the rate of Goeppert-Mayer's 2νββ decay.…”

Section: Historical Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless ββ decay

et al. 2023

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The discovery of neutrinoless ββ decay could soon be within reach. This hypothetical ultrarare nuclear decay offers a privileged portal to physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. Its observation would constitute the discovery of a matter-creating process, corroborating leading theories of why the Universe contains more matter than antimatter, and how forces unify at high energy scales. It would also prove that neutrinos and antineutrinos are not two distinct particles but can transform into each other, with their mass described by a unique mechanism conceived by Majorana. The recognition that neutrinos are not massless necessitates an explanation and has boosted interest in neutrinoless ββ decay. The field stands now at a turning point. A new round of experiments is currently being prepared for the next decade to cover an important region of parameter space. In parallel, advances in nuclear theory are laying the groundwork to connect the nuclear decay with the underlying new physics. Meanwhile, the particle theory landscape continues to find new motivations for neutrinos to be their own antiparticle. This review brings together the experimental, nuclear theory, and particle theory aspects connected to neutrinoless ββ decay to explore the path toward, and beyond, its discovery.

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False Starts in History of Searches for 2β Decay, or Discoverless Double Beta Decay

Abstract: Abstract.A collection of stories is presented on discoveries of 2β decay (including neutrinoless one) which were refuted in the subsequent investigations.

Cited by 11 publications

References 26 publications

The search for neutrinoless double beta decay

The search for neutrinoless double beta decay

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless double-beta decay

Toward the discovery of matter creation with neutrinoless ββ decay

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