Nuclear matrix elements for double beta decay

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current state of calculating nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double beta decay and discusses a potential method to measure the Fermi matrix element directly.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of nuclear matrix element calculations and introduces a novel proposal for measuring the Fermi matrix element.

Findings

Current calculations of nuclear matrix elements are summarized.

A new proposal for measuring the Fermi matrix element is described.

Implications for neutrinoless double beta decay experiments are discussed.

Abstract

The present status of calculations of the nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double beta decay is reviewed. A proposal which allows in principle to measure the neutrinoless double beta decay Fermi matrix element is briefly described.