NEMO 3 double beta decay experiment: latest results

TL;DR

The NEMO 3 experiment has been collecting data since 2003 to search for neutrinoless double beta decay across seven isotopes, setting new limits and measuring two-neutrino decay half-lives, with no evidence of neutrinoless decay found.

Contribution

This paper provides the latest experimental results from NEMO 3, including new half-life measurements and improved decay limits for multiple isotopes, advancing the search for neutrinoless double beta decay.

Findings

No evidence for neutrinoless decay in $^{100}$Mo and $^{82}$Se.

Measured two-neutrino decay half-lives for $^{48}$Ca, $^{96}$Zr, and $^{150}$Nd.

Set new lower limits on neutrinoless decay half-lives for several isotopes.

Abstract

The double beta decay experiment NEMO~3 has been taking data since February 2003. The aim of this experiment is to search for neutrinoless decay and investigate two neutrino double beta decay in seven different enriched isotopes ($^{100}$Mo,$^{82}$Se, $^{48}$Ca, $^{96}$Zr, $^{116}$Cd, $^{130}$Te and $^{150}$Nd). After analysis of the data corresponding to 693 days, no evidence for $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay in $^{100}$Mo and $^{82}$Se was found. The half-life limits at 90% C.L. are $5.8\cdot 10^{23}$ y and $2.1\cdot 10^{23}$ y, respectively. Using $\sim$ 940 days of data, preliminary results were obtained for $^{48}$Ca, $^{96}$Zr and $^{150}$Nd. For two neutrino decay half-life values were measured, $T_{1/2}(^{48}{\rm Ca}) = [4.4^{+0.5}_{-0.4}(stat) \pm 0.4(syst)] \cdot 10^{19}$ y, $T_{1/2}(^{96}{\rm Zr}) = [2.3 \pm 0.2(stat) \pm 0.3(syst)] \cdot 10^{19}$ y and $T_{1/2}(^{150}{\rm Nd}) = [9.2^{+0.25}_{-0.22}(stat) \pm 0.62(syst)] \cdot 10^{18}$ y. Also for $0\nu\beta\beta$ decay the following limits at 90% C.L. were obtained, $> 1.3 \cdot 10^{22}$ y for $^{48}$Ca, $> 8.6 \cdot 10^{21}$ y for $^{96}$Zr and > 1.8 \cdot 10^{22}$ y for $^{150}$Nd.