Novel shell-model analysis of the $^{136}$Xe double beta decay nuclear matrix elements
Abstract
Neutrinoless double beta decay, if observed, could distinguish whether neutrino is a Dirac or a Majorana particle, and it could be used to determine the absolute scale of the neutrino masses. Xe is one of the most promising candidates for observing this rare event. However, until recently there were no positive result for the allowed and less rare two-neutrino double beta decay mode. The small nuclear matrix element associated with the small half-life represents a challenge for nuclear structure models used for its calculation. We report a new shell-model analysis of the two-neutrino double beta decay of Xe, which takes into account all relevant nuclear orbitals necessary to fully describe the associated Gamow-Teller strength. We further use the new model to analyze the main contributions to the neutrinoless double beta decay half-life, and show that they are also diminished.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1301.0256,
title = {Novel shell-model analysis of the $^{136}$Xe double beta decay nuclear matrix elements},
author = {M. Horoi and B. A. Brown},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1301.0256},
year = {2015}
}