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Observation of Two-Neutrino Double-Beta Decay in Xe136 with the EXO-200 Detector

N. Ackerman et al. (EXO Collaboration)
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 212501 – Published 17 November 2011
Physics logo See Synopsis: Counting Down to Zero Neutrinos

Abstract

We report the observation of two-neutrino double-beta decay in Xe136 with T1/2=2.11±0.04(stat)±0.21(syst)×1021yr. This second-order process, predicted by the standard model, has been observed for several nuclei but not for Xe136. 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.

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  • Received 21 August 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.212501

© 2011 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Counting Down to Zero Neutrinos

Published 17 November 2011

An experiment looking for evidence that a neutrino is its own antiparticle makes a crucial step forward.

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Vol. 107, Iss. 21 — 18 November 2011

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