Neutrino-Less Double Beta Decay and Particle Physics

Abstract

We review the particle physics aspects of neutrino-less double beta decay. This process can be mediated by light massive Majorana neutrinos (standard interpretation) or by something else (non-standard interpretations). The physics potential of both interpretations is summarized and the consequences of future measurements or improved limits on the half-life of neutrino-less double beta decay are discussed. We try to cover all proposed alternative realizations of the decay, including light sterile neutrinos, supersymmetric or left-right symmetric theories, Majorons, and other exotic possibilities. Ways to distinguish the mechanisms from one another are discussed. Experimental and nuclear physics aspects are also briefly touched, alternative processes to double beta decay are discussed, and an extensive list of references is provided.

A model of radiative neutrino mass: with or without dark matter

“…We find that this constraint is easily satisfied in the model. Next generation experiments will improve this bound to the level of (M ν ) ee 0.01 eV [56,57].…”

Search for 2βdecay of116Cd with the help of enriched116CdWO4crystal scintillators

“…The observation of the 0ν2β decay will testify the lepton number non-conservation, the Majorana nature of the neutrino, an absolute value and hierarchy of the neutrino masses. The 0ν2β decay is also sensitive to an existence of the right-handed currents, hypothetical particles (majorons) and other effects beyond the SM (see the recent reviews [4][5][6][7][8][9] and references therein).…”

Searches for neutrinoless double beta decay

“…Since 26 neutrinos have no electric charge, there is no known symmetry which forbids additional terms 27 in the effective Lagrangian beside the standard Dirac mass term m D [7]:…”