Double-beta-decay experiment NEMO-3: Preliminary results of phase I (2003–2004)

The NEMO-3 detector has been taking data in the Fréjus underground laboratory (LSM, France) since February 2003 and is devoted to the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ). After 389 effective days of data collection from February 2003 until September 2004 (Phase I), no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay was found from ∼7 kg of ¹⁰⁰Mo and ∼1 kg of ⁸²Se. The corresponding limits for the half-lives are T _1/2(0νββ) > 4.6 × 10²³ yr for ¹⁰⁰Mo and T _1/2(0νββ) > 1.0 × 10²³ yr for ⁸²Se (90% C.L.). They lead to the following limits for the effective Majorana neutrino mass: 〈m _ν〉 < 0.7–2.8 eV for ¹⁰⁰Mo and 〈m _ν〉 < 1.8–4.9 eV for ⁸²Se. The half-lives of the two-neutrino double-beta decay (2νββ) have been measured for ¹⁰⁰Mo, ⁸²Se, ¹¹⁶Cd, ¹⁵⁰Nd, and ⁹⁶Zr and reported here as well. on behalf of NEMO Collaboration The text was submitted by the author in English.     

The extrapolation of NEMO techniques to future generation 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-decay experiments

The possibilities of using NEMO techniques for future neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments are discussed. The main idea is to have a realistic program with planned sensitivity for half-life measurement on the level of ～(1.5–2)×10²⁶ yr (sensitivity to neutrino mass ～0.04–0.1 eV). It is argued that this can be achieved using the improved NEMO technique to study 100 kg of ⁸²Se. A possible scheme for a future SUPERNEMO detector and its main characteristics are presented. Such a detector can also be used to investigate 0νββ decay in ¹⁰⁰Mo, ¹³⁰Te, and ¹¹⁶Cd with a sensitivity of up to ～(2–5)×10²⁵ yr or with a sensitivity to neutrino mass of ～0.04–0.26 eV.     

Double-beta-decay experiments: Present status and prospects for the future

The present status of experiments seeking double-beta decay is surveyed. The results of the most sensitive experiments are discussed. Particular attention is given to describing the NEMO-3 detector, which is intended for seeking the neutrinoless double-beta decay of various isotopes (¹⁰⁰Mo, ⁸²Se, etc.) with a sensitivity as high as T _1/2 ～ 10²⁵ yr, which corresponds to a sensitivity to the Majorana neutrino mass at a level of 0.1 to 0.3 eV. The first results obtained with the NEMO-3 detector are presented. A review of the existing projects of double-beta-decay experiments where it is planned to reach a sensitivity to the Majorana neutrino mass at a level of 0.01 to 0.1 eV is given.     

Investigation of double-beta decay with the NEMO-3 detector

The double-beta-decay experiment NEMO-3 has been taking data since February 2003. The aim of this experiment is to search for neutrinoless (0 νββ) decay and investigate two neutrino doublebeta decay in seven different isotopically enriched samples (¹⁰⁰Mo, ⁸²Se, ⁴⁸Ca, ⁹⁶Zr, ¹¹⁶Cd, ¹³⁰Te, and ¹⁵⁰Nd). After analysis of the data corresponding to 3.75 yr, no evidence for 0 νββ decay in the 100Mo and 82Se samples was found. The half-life limits at the 90% C.L. are 1.1 × 10²⁴ and 3.6 × 10²³ yr, respectively. Additionally for 0 νββ decay the following limits at the 90% C.L. were obtained, >1.3 × 10²² yr for ⁴⁸Ca, >9.2 × 10²¹ yr for ⁹⁶Zr, and >1.8 × 10²² yr for 150Nd. The 2 νββ decay half-life values were precisely measured for all investigated isotopes.     

The neutrinoless double-beta decay: A test for new physics

The neutrinoless double-beta decay is not allowed in the Standard Model (SM) but it is allowed in most Grand Unified Theories (GUTs). The neutrino must be a Majorana particle (identical with its antiparticle) and must have a mass to allow the neutrinoless double-beta decay. Apart of one claim that the neutrinoless double-beta decay in ⁷⁶Ge is measured, one has only upper limits for this transition probability. But even the upper limits allow to give upper limits for the electron Majorana neutrino mass and upper limits for parameters of GUTs and the minimal R-parity violating supersymmetric model. One further can give lower limits for the vector boson mediating mainly the right-handed weak interaction and the heavy mainly right-handed Majorana neutrino in left-right symmetric GUTs. For that, one has to assume that the specific mechanism is the leading one for the neutrinoless double-beta decay and one has to be able to calculate reliably the corresponding nuclear matrix elements. In the present contribution, one discusses the accuracy of the present status of calculating the nuclear matrix elements and the corresponding limits of GUTs and supersymmetric parameters.     

Majorana neutrino masses and the neutrinoless double-beta decay

Neutrinoless double-beta decay is forbidden in the Standard Model of electroweak and strong interaction but allowed in most Grand Unified Theories (GUTs). Only if the neutrino is a Majorana particle (identical with its antiparticle) and if it has a mass is neutrinoless double-beta decay allowed. Apart from one claim that the neutrinoless double-beta decay in ⁷⁶Ge is measured, one has only upper limits for this transition probability. But even the upper limits allow one to give upper limits for the electron Majorana neutrino mass and upper limits for parameters of GUTs and the minimal R-parity-violating supersymmetric model. One further can give lower limits for the vector boson mediating mainly the right-handed weak interaction and the heavy mainly right-handed Majorana neutrino in left-right symmetric GUTs. For that, one has to assume that the specific mechanism is the leading one for neutrinoless double-beta decay and one has to be able to calculate reliably the corresponding nuclear matrix elements. In the present work, one discusses the accuracy of the present status of calculating of the nuclear matrix elements and the corresponding limits of GUTs and supersymmetric parameters. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

The Two-Nucleon Mechanism for the Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay and the BCS Nuclear Wave Function

A method of using the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) nuclear wave function to treat the two-nucleon mechanism for neutiinoless double beta decay process 0⁺ → 0⁺ is proposed.The neutrinoless decay mode and the neutrinoless decay accompanied by a Majoron emission mode of ⁸²Se are studikd. Our cdculated results show that to reproduce the experimental value of γ^(ov) > 1.8 × 10²² yr for neutrinoless double beta decai of ⁸²Se the Majorana neutrino mass m_v < 6.2 eV and the mixing parameter of right-handed current η < 7.0 × 10^-6 In the emission with a Majoron mode the effective Majoron coupling to neutrino is deduced from the experimental value of γ^(ov,H) > 4.4 × 10²⁰ yr for ⁸²Se with the result H0> < 6.2 × 10^-4.     

Double-beta decay: Recent advances in experimental studies

The current situation in experiments studying double-beta decay is surveyed. The amount of experimental information about the two-neutrino mode of the process has grown considerably over the last decade. The two-neutrino double-beta decay of ten nuclei (⁴⁸Ca, ⁷⁶Ge, ⁸²Se, ⁹⁶Zr, ¹⁰⁰Mo, ¹¹⁶Cd, ¹²⁸Te, ¹³⁰Te, ¹⁵⁰Nd, and ²³⁸U) was observed in direct and geochemical experiments. However, the main fundamental question—that of neutrinoless double-beta decay, which has not yet been recorded, although the sensitivity of present-day facilities featuring germanium detectors is higher than 10²⁵ yr—remains open. The constraint on the effective Majorana mass on the basis of these results is 〈m _v〉<(0.4–1.1) eV. Further advancements in searches for neutrinoless double-beta decays must rely on developing fundamentally new experimental facilities, since the potential of those that already exist has been exhausted to a considerable extent.     

Study of 2β-decay of 100Mo and 82Se using the NEMO3 detector

After analysis of 5797 h of data from the detector NEMO3, new limits on neutrinoless double beta decay of ¹⁰⁰Mo (T _1/2>3.1×10²³y, 90% CL) and ⁸²Se (_{T 1/2}>1.4×10²³y, 90% CL) have been obtained. The corresponding limits on the effective majorana neutrino mass are: 〈m _v〉<(0.8–1.2) eV and 〈m _v〉<(1.5–3.1) eV, respectively. Also the limits on double-beta decay with Majoron emission are: T _1/2>1.4×10²²y (90% CL) for ¹⁰⁰Mo and T _1/2>1.2×10²²y (90% CL) for ⁸²Se. Corresponding bounds on the Majoron-neutrino coupling constant are 〈 g _ee〉<(0.5–0.9)×10^?4 and <(0.7?1.6)×10^?4. Two-neutrino 2β-decay half-lives have been measured with a high accuracy, $T_{1/2}^{100_{Mo} } = [7.68 \pm 0.02(stat) \pm 0.54(syst)] \times 10^{18} y$ and $T_{1/2}^{82_{Se} } = [10.3 \pm 0.3(stat) \pm 0.7(syst)] \times 10^{19} y$ .     

Q values of the Ge and Mo double-beta decays

Penning trap measurements using mixed beams of ⁷⁶Ge–⁷⁶Se and ¹⁰⁰Mo–¹⁰⁰Ru have been utilized to determine the double-beta decay Q-values of ⁷⁶Ge and ¹⁰⁰Mo with uncertainties less than 200 eV. The value for ⁷⁶Ge, 2039.04(16) keV is in agreement with the published SMILETRAP value, 2039.006(50) keV. The new value for ¹⁰⁰Mo, 3034.40(17) keV is 30 times more precise than the previous literature value, sufficient for the ongoing neutrinoless double-beta decay searches in ¹⁰⁰Mo. Moreover, the precise Q-value is used to calculate the phase-space integrals and the experimental nuclear matrix element of double-beta decay.     

A large Hilbert space QRPA and RQRPA calculation of neutrinoless double beta decay

A large Hilbert space is used for the calculation of the nuclear matrix elements governing the light neutrino mass mediated mode of neutrinoless double beta decay (Ovββ-decay) of⁷⁶ Ge,¹⁰⁰ Mo,¹¹⁶ Cd,¹²⁸ Te, and¹³⁶ Xe within the proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA) and the renormalized QRPA with proton-neutron pairing (full-RQRPA) methods. We have found that the nuclear matrix elements obtained with the standard pn-QRPA for several nuclear transitions are extremely sensitive to the renormalization of the particle-particle component of the residual interaction of the nuclear hamiltonian. Therefore the standard pn-QRPA does not guarantee the necessary accuracy to allow us to extract a reliable limit on the effective neutrino mass. This behavior already known from the calculation of the two-neutrino double beta decay matrix elements, manifests itself in the neutrinoless double-beta decay but only if a large model space is used. The full-RQRPA, which takes into account proton-neutron pairing and considers the Pauli principle in an approximate way, offers a stable solution in the physically acceptable region of the particle-particle strength. In this way more accurate values on the effective neutrino mass have been deduced from the experimental lower limits of the half-lifes of neutrinoless double beta decay.     

AMoRE: Collaboration for searches for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of the isotope of 100Mo with the aid of 40Ca100MoO4 as a cryogenic scintillation detector

The AMoRE (Advanced Mo based Rare process Experiment) Collaboration is planning to employ ⁴⁰Ca¹⁰⁰MoO₄ single crystals as a cryogenic Scintillation detector for studying the neutrinoless double-beta decay of the isotope ¹⁰⁰Mo. A simultaneous readout of phonon and scintillation signals is performed in order to suppress the intrinsic background. The planned sensitivity of the experiment that would employ 100 kg of ⁴⁰Ca¹⁰⁰MoO₄ over five years of data accumulation would be T _1/2 ^0ν = 3 × 10²⁶ yr, which corresponds to values of the effective Majorana neutrino mass in the range of 〈m _ν 〉 ～ 0.02–0.06 eV.     

Do neutrinos have mass?

Limits on neutrino masses are discussed, both from kinematical considerations (3-body weak decays, etc.) and from dynamical neutrino mass effects (oscillations). The Dirac versus Majorana question is addressed as well and typical limits from neutrinoless double-beta decay are presented.     

Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay to Excited 0+ States Mediated by Light Majorana Neutrinos

The neutrinoless double-beta decay (0 decay) to the first excited 0⁺ collective final state is examined for A = 76, 82, 100 and 136 nuclei by assuming light Majorana neutrino exchange mechanism. Realistic calculations of nuclear matrix elements are performed within the renormalized Quasiparticle Random Phase Approximation. Transitions to the first excited two-quadrupole phonon 0⁺ state are described within a boson expansion formalism. It is found that the ¹⁰⁰Mo is a good candidate for experimental study of the 0 decay to excited 0⁺ state due to small suppression of this transition relative to the transition to the ground state.     

Observation of two-neutrino double-beta decay in 136Xe with the EXO-200 detector

We report the observation of two-neutrino double-beta decay in (136)Xe with T(1/2) = 2.11 ± 0.04(stat) ± 0.21(syst) × 10(21) yr. This second-order process, predicted by the standard model, has been observed for several nuclei but not for (136)Xe. The observed decay rate provides new input to matrix element calculations and to the search for the more interesting neutrinoless double-beta decay, the most sensitive probe for the existence of Majorana particles and the measurement of the neutrino mass scale.     

Is the weak interaction constant really constant?

A comparison is made of the probability of the process of two neutrino double-beta decay for ⁸²Se and ⁹⁶Zr in direct (counter) and geochemical experiments. The experimental data for ¹³⁰Te are also analyzed. It is shown that the probability is systematically lower in geochemical experiments, which characterize the probability of decay a few billions years ago. In addition geochemical measurements on young minerals give lower values of T (¹³⁰Te) as compared to measurements on old minerals. It is proposed that this could be due to a change in the weak interaction constant with time. The possibilities of new precise measurements to be performed with the aid of counters and geochemical experiments are discussed. A new geochemical experiment with ¹⁰⁰Mo is proposed. Received: 24 February 2000 / Accepted: 4 March 2000     

Investigation of double-beta decay at the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow)

Investigation of neutrinoless double-beta (2β0ν) decay is presently being considered as one of the most important problems in particle physics and cosmology Interest in the problem was quickened by the observation of neutrino oscillations. The results of oscillation experiments determine the mass differences between different neutrino flavors, and the observation of neutrinoless decay may fix the absolute scale and the hierarchy of the neutrino masses. Investigation of 2β0ν decay is the most efficient method for solving the problem of whether the neutrino is a Dirae or a Majorana particle, Physicists from the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow) have been participating actively in solving this problem. They initiated and pioneered the application of semiconductor detectors manufactured from enriched germanium to searches for the double-beta decay of ⁷⁶Ge. Investigations with ⁷⁶Ge provided the most important results. At present, ITEP physicists are taking active part in four very large projects, GERDA. Majorana, EXO, and NEMO, which are capable of recording 2β0ν decay at a Majorana neutrino mass of 〈m _ν〉 ≈ 10^?2 eV.     

Suppression of the neutrinoless ββ decay?

The neutrinoless ββ decay rates of ⁷⁶Ge, ⁸²Se, ^{128, 130}Te are calculated in the quasi-particle random appproximation using a realistic effective NN interaction. The reduction of the 0νββ decay nuclear matrix elements due to ground-state correlations is much weaker than that of the 2νββ decay matrix elements, and we can deduce stringent limits on the Majorana neutrino mass and the right-handed leptonic currents from experimental data on νββ decay.     

Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay in ^{136}Xe with EXO-200

We report on a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of ^{136}Xe with EXO-200. No signal is observed for an exposure of 32.5?kg?yr, with a background of ～1.5×10^{-3} kg^{-1}?yr^{-1}?keV^{-1} in the ±1σ region of interest. This sets a lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless double-beta decay T_{1/2}^{0νββ}(^{136}Xe)>1.6×10^{25} yr (90% C.L.), corresponding to effective Majorana masses of less than 140-380?meV, depending on the matrix element calculation.