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Updated: May 10, 2026

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models
07:46

Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models

Published on: November 15, 2013

Shell-model analysis of the 136Xe double beta decay nuclear matrix elements.

M Horoi1, B A Brown

  • 1Department of Physics, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859, USA. mihai.horoi@cmich.edu

Physical Review Letters
|June 18, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Neutrinoless double beta decay research using 136Xe shows a diminished nuclear matrix element. This finding impacts understanding neutrino properties and mass scales.

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Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Physics
  • Particle Physics
  • Astroparticle Physics

Background:

  • Neutrinoless double beta decay (NDB) is crucial for determining neutrino nature (Dirac vs. Majorana) and mass scale.
  • 136Xe is a prime candidate for NDB experiments, but experimental data for its two-neutrino double beta decay (TNDB) mode has been limited.
  • The small nuclear matrix element (NME) for 136Xe TNDB poses challenges for nuclear structure calculations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform a novel shell-model analysis of the TNDB of 136Xe.
  • To accurately calculate the NME by including all necessary nuclear orbitals for Gamow-Teller strength.
  • To analyze the contributions to the NDB matrix element using the developed model.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing advanced shell-model calculations.
  • Incorporating a comprehensive set of nuclear orbitals relevant to 136Xe.
  • Focusing on Gamow-Teller transitions for TNDB and NDB matrix elements.

Main Results:

  • A new shell-model analysis of 136Xe TNDB is presented.
  • The calculation accounts for all relevant nuclear orbitals, improving accuracy.
  • The main contributions to the NDB matrix element are found to be diminished.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides a refined understanding of 136Xe double beta decay processes.
  • The diminished NME has implications for the sensitivity of NDB experiments.
  • Accurate NME calculations are vital for interpreting neutrino physics from double beta decay.