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Energy density functional study of nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless ββ decay
Tomás R Rodríguez1, Gabriel Martínez-Pinedo
1GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, D-64259 Darmstadt, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|January 15, 2011
Summary
This study calculates nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double-beta decay across multiple isotopes. Nuclear matrix elements are found to be relatively constant, except for specific isotopes like Calcium-48 and Neodymium-150.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Particle Physics
- Quantum Chemistry
Background:
- Neutrinoless double-beta decay is a hypothetical process crucial for understanding neutrino properties.
- Accurate calculation of nuclear matrix elements (NME) is essential for interpreting experimental results.
- Current theoretical models require advanced methods to capture complex nuclear correlations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform an extensive study of nuclear matrix elements (NME) for neutrinoless double-beta decay.
- To investigate the NME for a wide range of isotopes including 48Ca, 76Ge, 82Se, 96Zr, 100Mo, 116Cd, 124Sn, 128Te, 130Te, 136Xe, and 150Nd.
- To analyze the influence of nuclear deformation and pairing on NME values.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing state-of-the-art energy density functional methods with the Gogny D1S functional.
- Incorporating beyond-mean-field effects through the generating coordinate method.
- Applying particle number and angular momentum projection to initial and final ground states.
Main Results:
- Calculated NME values are generally constant around 4.7 for most studied isotopes.
- Exceptions were observed for 48Ca and 150Nd, which exhibit smaller NME values.
- Detailed analysis of deformation and pairing effects on NME, particularly for 150Nd decay, is presented.
Conclusions:
- The study provides robust theoretical predictions for NME in neutrinoless double-beta decay.
- Findings suggest a near-uniform behavior of NME across many isotopes, simplifying future analyses.
- Specific isotopes like 48Ca and 150Nd warrant further detailed investigation due to their distinct NME values.
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