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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 1320

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)

Research

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20 pages, 4277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Present and Future of 0ν2β Searches with Germanium

by Nina Burlac and Giuseppe Salamanna

Universe 2021, 7(10), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7100386 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2418

Abstract

Among the several experiments and techniques conceived of to search for neutrinoless double

β

decay (

0 ν 2 β

) in a handful of isotopes, presently the best lower limit on the half-life for this rare process, is provided by those using [...] Read more.

Among the several experiments and techniques conceived of to search for neutrinoless double

β

decay (

0 ν 2 β

) in a handful of isotopes, presently the best lower limit on the half-life for this rare process, is provided by those using

^{76}

Ge, a rare isotope of germanium. Such a lower limit is of 1.8 × 10

^{26}

y. Building from such a successful achievement of the GERDA and Majorana Demonstrator experiments, the baton with

^{76}

Ge passes now to the LEGEND experiment. Using a two-stage approach with about 200 kg and then 1 t of germanium, LEGEND aims to attain a sensitivity of around 10

^{28}

y, which will enable it to probe the standard inverted-ordering neutrino mass scenario. We touch upon the past generation of experiments to illustrate their strong and weak points, review the general concept and design of LEGEND, and describe the LEGEND-200 detector and its preliminary performance. We also illustrate how the backgrounds can have a dramatic effect on the search and in which way the latter can be mitigated. Full article

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

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15 pages, 794 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Search for Double Beta Decay of ¹⁰⁶Cd with an Enriched ¹⁰⁶CdWO₄ Crystal Scintillator in Coincidence with CdWO₄ Scintillation Counters

by Pierluigi Belli, R. Bernabei, V.B. Brudanin, F. Cappella, V. Caracciolo, R. Cerulli, F. A. Danevich, Antonella Incicchitti, D.V. Kasperovych, V.R. Klavdiienko, V.V. Kobychev, Vittorio Merlo, O.G. Polischuk, V.I. Tretyak and M.M. Zarytskyy

Universe 2020, 6(10), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6100182 - 16 Oct 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2517

Abstract

Studies on double beta decay processes in

^{106}

Cd were performed by using a cadmium tungstate scintillator enriched in

^{106}

Cd at 66% (

^{106}

CdWO

_{4}

) with two CdWO

_{4}

scintillation counters (with natural Cd composition). No effect was observed in [...] Read more.

Studies on double beta decay processes in

^{106}

Cd were performed by using a cadmium tungstate scintillator enriched in

^{106}

Cd at 66% (

^{106}

CdWO

_{4}

) with two CdWO

_{4}

scintillation counters (with natural Cd composition). No effect was observed in the data that accumulated over 26,033 h. New improved half-life limits were set on the different channels and modes of the

^{106}

Cd double beta decay at level of

lim T_{1 / 2} \sim 10^{20} - 10^{22}

yr. The limit for the two neutrino electron capture with positron emission in

^{106}

Cd to the ground state of

^{106}

Pd,

T_{1 / 2}^{2 ν EC β^{+}} \geq 2.1 \times 10^{21}

yr, was set by the analysis of the

^{106}

CdWO

_{4}

data in coincidence with the energy release 511 keV in both CdWO

_{4}

counters. The sensitivity approaches the theoretical predictions for the decay half-life that are in the range

T_{1 / 2} \sim 10^{21} - 10^{22}

yr. The resonant neutrinoless double-electron capture to the 2718 keV excited state of

^{106}

Pd is restricted at the level of

T_{1 / 2}^{0 ν 2 K} \geq 2.9 \times 10^{21}

yr. Full article

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

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30 pages, 13066 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The NUMEN Heavy Ion Multidetector for a Complementary Approach to the Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

by Paolo Finocchiaro, Luis Acosta, Clementina Agodi, Carmen Altana, Paulina Amador-Valenzuela, Ismail Boztosun, Sandro Brasolin, Giuseppe A. Brischetto, Oscar Brunasso, Salvatore Calabrese, Luciano Calabretta, Daniela Calvo, Vittoria Capirossi, Francesco Cappuzzello, Diana Carbone, Manuela Cavallaro, Efrain R. Chávez Lomeli, Irene Ciraldo, Grazia D’Agostino, Franck Delaunay, Haris Djapo, Carlo Ferraresi, Maria Fisichella, David C. Flechas Garcia, Felice Iazzi, Laura La Fauci, Gaetano Lanzalone, Francesco La Via, Roberto Linares, Nilberto H. Medina, Paulo Mereu, Mauricio Moralles, Josè R. B. Oliveira, Luciano Pandola, Alfio Pappalardo, Horia Petrascu, Federico Pinna, Antonio D. Russo, Diego Sartirana, Onoufrios Sgouros, Selcuk Oktay Solakci, Vasilis Soukeras, Alessandro Spatafora, Domenico Torresi, Salvatore Tudisco, Aydin Yildirim and Vinicius A. B. Zagatto Show full author list Hide full author list

Universe 2020, 6(9), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6090129 - 19 Aug 2020

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 3844

Abstract

Neutrinos are so far the most elusive known particles, and in the last decades many sophisticated experiments have been set up in order to clarify several questions about their intrinsic nature, in particular their masses, mass hierarchy, intrinsic nature of Majorana or Dirac [...] Read more.

Neutrinos are so far the most elusive known particles, and in the last decades many sophisticated experiments have been set up in order to clarify several questions about their intrinsic nature, in particular their masses, mass hierarchy, intrinsic nature of Majorana or Dirac particles. Evidence of the Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay (NDBD) would prove that neutrinos are Majorana particles, thus improving the understanding of the universe itself. Besides the search for several large underground experiments for the direct experimental detection of NDBD, the NUMEN experiment proposes the investigation of a nuclear mechanism strongly linked to this decay: the Double Charge Exchange reactions (DCE). As such reactions share with the NDBD the same initial and final nuclear states, they could shed light on the determination of the Nuclear Matrix Elements (NMEs), which play a relevant role in the decay. The physics of DCE is described elsewhere in this issue, while the focus of this paper will be on the challenging experimental apparatus currently under construction in order to fulfil the requirements of the NUMEN experiment. The overall structure of the technological improvement to the cyclotron, along with the newly developed detection systems required for tracking and identifying the reaction products and their final excitation level are described. Full article

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

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Review

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26 pages, 6487 KiB

Open AccessReview

Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with Germanium Detectors: 10²⁶ yr and Beyond

by Valerio D’Andrea, Natalia Di Marco, Matthias Bernhard Junker, Matthias Laubenstein, Carla Macolino, Michele Morella, Francesco Salamida and Chiara Vignoli

Universe 2021, 7(9), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7090341 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3288

Abstract

In the global landscape of neutrinoless double beta (

0 ν β β

) decay search, the use of semiconductor germanium detectors provides many advantages. The excellent energy resolution, the negligible intrinsic radioactive contamination, the possibility of enriching the crystals up to 88% [...] Read more.

In the global landscape of neutrinoless double beta (

0 ν β β

) decay search, the use of semiconductor germanium detectors provides many advantages. The excellent energy resolution, the negligible intrinsic radioactive contamination, the possibility of enriching the crystals up to 88% in the

^{76}

Ge isotope as well as the high detection efficiency, are all key ingredients for highly sensitive

0 ν β β

decay search. The Majorana and Gerda experiments successfully implemented the use of germanium (Ge) semiconductor detectors, reaching an energy resolution of 2.53 ± 0.08 keV at the Q

_{β β}

and an unprecedented low background level of

5.2 \times 10^{- 4}

cts/(keV·kg·yr), respectively. In this paper, we will review the path of

0 ν β β

decay search with Ge detectors from the original idea of E. Fiorini et al. in 1967, to the final recent results of the Gerda experiment setting a limit on the half-life of

^{76}

Ge

0 ν β β

decay at

T_{1 / 2} > 1.8 \times 10^{26}

yr (90% C.L.). We will then present the LEGEND project designed to reach a sensitivity to the half-life up to

10^{28}

yr and beyond, opening the way to the exploration of the normal ordering region. Full article

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

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23 pages, 499 KiB

Open AccessReview

Status and Perspectives on Rare Decay Searches in Tellurium Isotopes

by Alice Campani, Valentina Dompè and Guido Fantini

Universe 2021, 7(7), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7070212 - 26 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2936

Abstract

Neutrinoless double beta decay (

0 ν β β

) is a posited lepton number violating decay whose search is an increasingly active field in modern astroparticle physics. A discovery would imply neutrinos are Majorana particles and inform neutrino physics, cosmology and beyond-standard-model [...] Read more.

Neutrinoless double beta decay (

0 ν β β

) is a posited lepton number violating decay whose search is an increasingly active field in modern astroparticle physics. A discovery would imply neutrinos are Majorana particles and inform neutrino physics, cosmology and beyond-standard-model theories. Among the few nuclei where double beta decay (

β β

) is allowed, tellurium isotopes stand for their high natural abundance and are currently employed in multiple experiments. The search for

0 ν β β

will provide large exposure data sets in the coming years, paving the way for unprecedented sensitivities. We review the latest rare decay searches in tellurium isotopes and compare past results with theories and prospects from running experiments. Full article

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

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19 pages, 427 KiB

Open AccessReview

Present Status of Nuclear Shell-Model Calculations of 0νββ Decay Matrix Elements

by Luigi Coraggio, Nunzio Itaco, Giovanni De Gregorio, Angela Gargano, Riccardo Mancino and Saori Pastore

Universe 2020, 6(12), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6120233 - 7 Dec 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2505

Abstract

Neutrinoless double beta (

0 ν β β

) decay searches are currently among the major foci of experimental physics. The observation of such a decay will have important implications in our understanding of the intrinsic nature of neutrinos and shed light on [...] Read more.

Neutrinoless double beta (

0 ν β β

) decay searches are currently among the major foci of experimental physics. The observation of such a decay will have important implications in our understanding of the intrinsic nature of neutrinos and shed light on the limitations of the Standard Model. The rate of this process depends on both the unknown neutrino effective mass and the nuclear matrix element (

M^{0 ν}

) associated with the given

0 ν β β

transition. The latter can only be provided by theoretical calculations, hence the need of accurate theoretical predictions of

M^{0 ν}

for the success of the experimental programs. This need drives the theoretical nuclear physics community to provide the most reliable calculations of

M^{0 ν}

. Among the various computational models adopted to solve the many-body nuclear problem, the shell model is widely considered as the basic framework of the microscopic description of the nucleus. Here, we review the most recent and advanced shell-model calculations of

M^{0 ν}

considering the light-neutrino-exchange channel for nuclei of experimental interest. We report the sensitivity of the theoretical calculations with respect to variations in the model spaces and the shell-model nuclear Hamiltonians. Full article

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

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16 pages, 288 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nuclear Response to Second-Order Isospin Probes in Connection to Double Beta Decay

by Francesco Cappuzzello and Manuela Cavallaro

Universe 2020, 6(11), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6110217 - 20 Nov 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2158

Abstract

One of the key ingredients needed to extract quantitative information on neutrino absolute mass scale from the possible measurement of the neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay half-lives is the nuclear matrix element (NME) characterizing such transitions. NMEs are not physical observables and can only [...] Read more.

One of the key ingredients needed to extract quantitative information on neutrino absolute mass scale from the possible measurement of the neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay half-lives is the nuclear matrix element (NME) characterizing such transitions. NMEs are not physical observables and can only be deduced by theoretical calculations. However, since the atomic nuclei involved in the decay are many-body systems, only approximated values are available to date. In addition, the value of the coupling constants to be used for the weak interaction vertices is still an open question, which introduces a further indetermination in the calculations of NMEs. Several experimental approaches were developed in the years with the aim of providing useful information to further constrain the theory. Here we give an overview of the role of charge exchange reactions in this scenario, focusing on second-order processes, namely the double charge exchange (DCE) reactions. Full article

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

38 pages, 1202 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cosmogenic Activation in Double Beta Decay Experiments

by Susana Cebrián

Universe 2020, 6(10), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6100162 - 29 Sep 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3872

Abstract

Double beta decay is a very rare nuclear process and, therefore, experiments intended to detect it must be operated deep underground and in ultra-low background conditions. Long-lived radioisotopes produced by the previous exposure of materials to cosmic rays on the Earth’s surface or [...] Read more.

Double beta decay is a very rare nuclear process and, therefore, experiments intended to detect it must be operated deep underground and in ultra-low background conditions. Long-lived radioisotopes produced by the previous exposure of materials to cosmic rays on the Earth’s surface or even underground can become problematic for the required sensitivity. Here, the studies developed to quantify and reduce the activation yields in detectors and materials used in the set-up of these experiments will be reviewed, considering target materials like germanium, tellurium and xenon together with other ones commonly used like copper, lead, stainless steel or argon. Calculations following very different approaches and measurements from irradiation experiments using beams or directly cosmic rays will be considered for relevant radioisotopes. The effect of cosmogenic activation in present and future double beta decay projects based on different types of detectors will be analyzed too. Full article

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

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16 pages, 365 KiB

Open AccessReview

Precise Half-Life Values for Two-Neutrino Double-β Decay: 2020 Review

by Alexander Barabash

Universe 2020, 6(10), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6100159 - 27 Sep 2020

Cited by 101 | Viewed by 4844

Abstract

All existing positive results on two-neutrino double beta decay and two-neutrino double electron capture in different nuclei have been analyzed. Weighted average and recommended half-life values for

^{48}

Ca,

^{76}

Ge,

^{82}

Se,

^{96}

Zr,

^{100}

Mo,

^{100}

Mo -

^{100}

Ru (0 [...] Read more.

All existing positive results on two-neutrino double beta decay and two-neutrino double electron capture in different nuclei have been analyzed. Weighted average and recommended half-life values for

^{48}

Ca,

^{76}

Ge,

^{82}

Se,

^{96}

Zr,

^{100}

Mo,

^{100}

Mo -

^{100}

Ru (0₁⁺),

^{116}

Cd,

^{128}

Te,

^{130}

Te,

^{136}

Xe,

^{150}

Nd,

^{150}

Nd -

^{150}

Sm (0₁⁺),

^{238}

U,

^{78}

Kr,

^{124}

Xe and

^{130}

Ba have been obtained. Given the measured half-life values, effective nuclear matrix elements for all these transitions were calculated. Full article

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

21 pages, 357 KiB

Open AccessReview

Neutrinos: Majorana or Dirac?

by Samoil M. Bilenky

Universe 2020, 6(9), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6090134 - 24 Aug 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3269

Abstract

Are neutrinos with definite masses Majorana or Dirac particles? This is one of the most fundamental problems of modern neutrino physics. The solution to this problem could be crucial for understanding the origin of small neutrino masses. We review here basic arguments in [...] Read more.

Are neutrinos with definite masses Majorana or Dirac particles? This is one of the most fundamental problems of modern neutrino physics. The solution to this problem could be crucial for understanding the origin of small neutrino masses. We review here basic arguments in favor of the Majorana nature of massive neutrinos. The phenomenological theory of

0 ν β β

-decay is briefly discussed and recent experimental data and sensitivity of future experiments are presented. Full article

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

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