Uncertainty Quantification of the $^{76}$Ge Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Nuclear Matrix Element
Abstract
The experimental pursuit of neutrinoless double-beta decay () constitutes one of the most compelling avenues for probing lepton-number violation and exploring physics beyond the Standard Model. Within this landscape, Ge has consistently ranked among the most promising isotopes for current and next-generation bolometric and liquid-scintillator experiments, notably GERDA and LEGEND. In the present work, we adapt a rigorous statistical protocol previously established for Ca~\cite{Horoi-prc22} and Xe~\cite{Horoi-Xe-2023} to the Ge system, utilizing a valence configuration that aligns with our recent investigation of Se~\cite{Neacsu-Symmetry-2024}. Our methodology introduces systematic, bounded fluctuations to the two-body matrix elements of established effective interactions, subsequently monitoring how these perturbations propagate through a suite of low-energy nuclear observables. Special emphasis is placed on the nuclear matrix element (NME), whose theoretical uncertainty currently dominates the interpretation of experimental half-life limits. By integrating these simulated variations into a Bayesian Model Averaging framework and benchmarking against empirical spectroscopic data, we derive a constrained probability distribution for the NME. The resulting analysis yields a central value of 2.46 with an associated standard deviation of 0.25, thereby quantifying the intrinsic theoretical spread within the interacting shell model approach. Furthermore, we perform a comprehensive correlation analysis across all computed observables to evaluate internal consistency, identify non-trivial structural dependencies, and establish benchmarks that may guide the refinement of future effective interactions.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2605.21657,
title = {Uncertainty Quantification of the $^{76}$Ge Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Nuclear Matrix Element},
author = {Mihai Horoi and Andrei Neacsu},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2605.21657},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
10 pages, 6 figures