Related papers: Double beta decay experiments: past and present ac…
All existing positive results on two neutrino double beta decay in different nuclei were analyzed. Using the procedure recommended by the Particle Data Group, weighted average values for half-lives of $^{48}$Ca, $^{76}$Ge, $^{82}$Se,…
Neutrinoless double-$\beta$ decay ($0\nu\beta\beta$ decay) is a hypothetical process that can occur if the neutrino is its own antiparticle. The COBRA collaboration operates a demonstrator to search for these decays at the Laboratori…
All existing positive results on two neutrino double beta decay and two neutrino double electron capture in different nuclei were analyzed. Using the procedure recommended by the Particle Data Group, weighted average values for half-lives…
Neutrinoless double beta decay is a hypothetical nuclear transition whose observation would demonstrate that neutrinos are their own antiparticles and that lepton number is not conserved, with far-reaching implications for the origin of…
The theoretical and experimental issues relevant to neutrinoless double-beta decay are reviewed. The impact that a direct observation of this exotic process would have on elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics and…
Indirect support for the evidence of neutrinoless double beta decay reported recently, is obtained by analysis of other Ge double beta experiments, which yield independent information on the background in the region of Q_(beta-beta). Some…
Neutrinoless double beta decay is a lepton number violating process whose observation would also establish that neutrinos are their own anti-particles. There are many experimental efforts with a variety of techniques. Some (EXO,…
We show that, in the framework of a general model with mixing of three Majorana neutrinos and a neutrino mass hierarchy, the results of the Bugey and Krasnoyarsk reactor neutrino oscillation experiments imply strong limitations for the…
Neutrinoless double-beta decay is a forbidden, lepton-number-violating nuclear transition whose observation would have fundamental implications for neutrino physics, theories beyond the Standard Model and cosmology. In this review, we…
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,…
The half-life of the 2 neutrino double-beta-decay of 160Gd, a process which was previously reported as theoretically forbidden, is estimated by including the pairing interaction, which mixes different occupations and opens channels for the…
SuperNEMO is a double-$\beta$ decay experiment, which will employ the successful tracker-calorimeter technique used in the recently completed NEMO-3 experiment. SuperNEMO will implement 100 kg of double-$\beta$ decay isotope, reaching a…
The nucleus is an extraordinarily complex object where fundamental forces are at work. The solution of this many-body problem has challenged physicists for decades: several models with complementary virtues and flaws have been adopted, none…
The SuperNEMO project studies the feasibility of employing a technique of tracking plus calorimetry to search for neutrinoless double beta decay in 100 kg of enriched isotopes. It aims to reach an effective neutrino mass sensitivity of 50…
$^{48}$Ca, the lightest double beta decay candidate, is the only one simple enough to be treated exactly in the nuclear shell model. Thus, the $\beta\beta(2\nu)$ half-life measurement, reported here, provides a unique test of the nuclear…
Comprehensive description of the phenomenology of the $\beta\beta$ decay is given, with emphasis on the nuclear physics aspects. After a brief review of the neutrino oscillation results and of motivation to test the lepton number…
Motivated by the observation of non-zero neutrino masses and the potential for discovering physics beyond the Standard Model, numerous experiments are actively searching for neutrinoless double beta $(0\nu\beta\beta)$ decay. In all of these…
Neutrino masses are yet unknown. We discuss the present state of effective electron anti-neutrino mass from $\beta$ decay experiments; effective Majorana neutrino mass from neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments; neutrino mass squared…
The simultaneous beta decay of two neutrons in a nucleus without the emission of neutrinos (called neutrinoless double beta decay) is a lepton number violating process which is not allowed in the Standard Model of particle physics. More…
This paper presents a review of the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{76}$Ge with emphasis on the recent results of the GERDA experiment. It includes an appraisal of fifty years of research on this topic as well as an outlook.