Abstract
We report the observation of two-neutrino double-beta decay in with . This second-order process, predicted by the standard model, has been observed for several nuclei but not for . 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.
- Received 21 August 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.212501
© 2011 American Physical Society
Synopsis
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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