Nuclear structure effects in double-beta decay

J. Engel, P. Vogel, and M. R. Zirnbauer
Phys. Rev. C 37, 731 – Published 1 February 1988
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

Using the quasiparticle random phase approximation, we calculate the nuclear matrix elements governing two-neutrino and neutrinoless double-beta decay. We show that a consistent treatment, including both particle-hole and particle-particle interactions, helps to resolve the longstanding discrepancy between experimental and calculated two-neutrino decay rates. The particle-particle force, which allows us to bring calculated EC/β+ decay rates in semimagic nuclei into closer agreement with experiment, is in large part responsible for suppressing calculated two-neutrino decay rates that are otherwise too fast. We test the validity of our procedure by comparing quasiparticle random phase approximation results with exact solutions for a solvable model, in which the suppression of two-neutrino decay by the particle-particle interaction is confirmed. We then extend our approach to the neutrinoless decay associated with a finite Majorana neutrino mass and, conceivably, with majoron emission, and demonstrate that the nuclear matrix elements governing these processes are also suppressed. We present predicted half-lives for both two-neutrino and neutrinoless double-beta decay in several candidate nuclei, and discuss the difficulties associated with the calculation of such highly suppressed quantities.

  • Received 8 June 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.37.731

©1988 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

J. Engel and P. Vogel

  • Physics Department, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125

M. R. Zirnbauer

  • W. K. Kellogg Radiation Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 37, Iss. 2 — February 1988

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review C

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×