Sensitivity of neutrinoless double beta decays from a combined analysis of ground and excited states
Fuente:
arXiv
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1866910277965971456 |
|---|---|
| author | Ding, C. R. Han, K. Wang, S. B. Yao, J. M. |
| author_facet | Ding, C. R. Han, K. Wang, S. B. Yao, J. M. |
| contents | Next-generation neutrinoless double-beta ($0νββ$) decay experiments, with projected half-life sensitivities approaching $10^{28}$ years, aim to probe the entire parameter space of the inverted neutrino mass ordering in the light-neutrino-exchange scenario. However, this reach remains uncertain by the substantial model dependence of the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs). In this work, we propose a strategy based on a combined analysis of $0νββ$ decays to both the ground state and the first excited $0^+$ state of the daughter nucleus. We show that such a multi-channel approach can significantly enhance experimental sensitivity, depending on the underlying NME predictions. This method is particularly well-suited for large liquid xenon detectors, such as the proposed PandaX-xT and XLZD experiments, which can efficiently identify transitions of $^{136}$Xe to excited states. Our results highlight the importance of exploiting multiple decay channels in future $0νββ$ searches to maximize their discovery potential. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_17413 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Sensitivity of neutrinoless double beta decays from a combined analysis of ground and excited states Ding, C. R. Han, K. Wang, S. B. Yao, J. M. High Energy Physics - Phenomenology High Energy Physics - Experiment Nuclear Experiment Nuclear Theory Next-generation neutrinoless double-beta ($0νββ$) decay experiments, with projected half-life sensitivities approaching $10^{28}$ years, aim to probe the entire parameter space of the inverted neutrino mass ordering in the light-neutrino-exchange scenario. However, this reach remains uncertain by the substantial model dependence of the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs). In this work, we propose a strategy based on a combined analysis of $0νββ$ decays to both the ground state and the first excited $0^+$ state of the daughter nucleus. We show that such a multi-channel approach can significantly enhance experimental sensitivity, depending on the underlying NME predictions. This method is particularly well-suited for large liquid xenon detectors, such as the proposed PandaX-xT and XLZD experiments, which can efficiently identify transitions of $^{136}$Xe to excited states. Our results highlight the importance of exploiting multiple decay channels in future $0νββ$ searches to maximize their discovery potential. |
| title | Sensitivity of neutrinoless double beta decays from a combined analysis of ground and excited states |
| topic | High Energy Physics - Phenomenology High Energy Physics - Experiment Nuclear Experiment Nuclear Theory |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.17413 |