Neutrinoless double beta decay: 2015 review [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1601.07512


The discovery of neutrino masses through the observation of oscillations boosted the importance of neutrinoless double beta decay ($0\nu\beta\beta$). In this paper, we review the main features of this process, underlining its key role both from the experimental and theoretical point of view. In particular, we contextualize the $0\nu\beta\beta$ in the panorama of lepton-number violating processes, also assessing some possible particle physics mechanisms mediating the process. Since the $0\nu\beta\beta$ existence is correlated with neutrino masses, we also review the state-of-art of the theoretical understanding of neutrino masses. In the final part, the status of current $0\nu\beta\beta$ experiments is presented and the prospects for the future hunt for $0\nu\beta\beta$ are discussed. Also, experimental data coming from cosmological surveys are considered and their impact on $0\nu\beta\beta$ expectations is examined.

Read this paper on arXiv…

S. DellOro, S. Marcocci, M. Viel, et. al.
Fri, 29 Jan 16
41/52

Comments: 36 pages, 22 figures