No Arabic abstract
We perform a statistical analysis with the prospective results of future experiments on neutrino-less double beta decay, direct searches for neutrino mass (KATRIN) and cosmological observations. Realistic errors are used and the nuclear matrix element uncertainty for neutrino-less double beta decay is also taken into account. Three benchmark scenarios are introduced, corresponding to quasi-degenerate, inverse hierarchical neutrinos, and an intermediate case. We investigate to what extend these scenarios can be reconstructed. Furthermore, we check the compatibility of the scenarios with the claimed evidence of neutrino-less double beta decay.
Neutrino Self-Interactions ($ u$SI) beyond the Standard Model are an attractive possibility to soften cosmological constraints on neutrino properties and also to explain the tension in late and early time measurements of the Hubble expansion rate. The required strength of $ u$SI to explain the $4sigma$ Hubble tension is in terms of a point-like effective four-fermion coupling that can be as high as $10^9, G_F$, where $G_F$ is the Fermi constant. In this work, we show that such strong $ u$SI can cause significant effects in two-neutrino double beta decay, leading to an observable enhancement of decay rates and to spectrum distortions. We analyze self-interactions via an effective operator as well as when mediated by a light scalar. Data from observed two-neutrino double beta decay is used to constrain $ u$SI, which rules out the regime around $10^9, G_F$.
The observation of neutrinoless double beta decay will have important consequences. First it will signal that lepton number is not conserved and the neutrinos are Majorana particles. Second, it represents our best hope for determining the absolute neutrino mass scale at the level of a few tens of meV. To achieve the last goal, however, certain hurdles have to be overcome involving particle, nuclear and experimental physics. Particle physics is important since it provides the mechanisms for neutrinoless double beta decay. In this review we emphasize the light neutrino mass mechanism. Nuclear physics is important for extracting the useful information from the data. One must accurately evaluate the relevant nuclear matrix elements, a formidable task. To this end, we review the recently developed sophisticated nuclear structure approaches, employing different methods and techniques of calculation. We also examine the question of quenching of the axial vector coupling constant, which may have important consequences on the size of the nuclear matrix elements. From an experimental point of view it is challenging, since the life times are extremely long and one has to fight against formidable backgrounds. One needs large isotopically enriched sources and detectors with good energy resolution and very low background.
Bayesian modeling techniques enable sensitivity analyses that incorporate detailed expectations regarding future experiments. A model-based approach also allows one to evaluate inferences and predicted outcomes, by calibrating (or measuring) the consequences incurred when certain results are reported. We present procedures for calibrating predictions of an experiments sensitivity to both continuous and discrete parameters. Using these procedures and a new Bayesian model of the $beta$-decay spectrum, we assess a high-precision $beta$-decay experiments sensitivity to the neutrino mass scale and ordering, for one assumed design scenario. We find that such an experiment could measure the electron-weighted neutrino mass within $sim40,$meV after 1 year (90$%$ credibility). Neutrino masses $>500,$meV could be measured within $approx5,$meV. Using only $beta$-decay and external reactor neutrino data, we find that next-generation $beta$-decay experiments could potentially constrain the mass ordering using a two-neutrino spectral model analysis. By calibrating mass ordering results, we identify reporting criteria that can be tuned to suppress false ordering claims. In some cases, a two-neutrino analysis can reveal that the mass ordering is inverted, an unobtainable result for the traditional one-neutrino analysis approach.
We quantify the extent to which future experiments will test the existence of neutrinoless double-beta decay mediated by light neutrinos with inverted-ordered masses. While it remains difficult to compare measurements performed with different isotopes, we find that future searches will fully test the inverted ordering scenario, as a global, multi-isotope endeavor. They will also test other possible mechanisms driving the decay, including a large uncharted region of the allowed parameter space assuming that neutrino masses follow the normal ordering.
We analyze the effect of the Dark-large mixing angle (DLMA) solution on the effective Majorana mass ($m_{betabeta}$) governing neutrino-less double beta decay ($0 ubetabeta$) in the presence of a sterile neutrino. We consider the 3+1 picture, comprising of one additional sterile neutrino. We have checked that the MSW resonance in the sun can take place in the DLMA parameter space in this scenario. Next we investigate how the values of the solar mixing angle $theta_{12}$ corresponding to the DLMA region alter the predictions of $m_{betabeta}$ including a sterile neutrino in the analysis. We also compare our results with three generation cases for both standard large mixing angle (LMA) and DLMA. Additionally, we evaluate the discovery sensitivity of the future ${}^{136}Xe$ experiments in this context.