Neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{150}$Nd with account for deformation

TL;DR

This paper presents a detailed nuclear matrix element calculation for neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{150}$Nd, incorporating nuclear deformation effects, which significantly alters previous estimates and enhances its potential to probe Majorana neutrino mass.

Contribution

It introduces a state-of-the-art QRPA calculation including nuclear deformation effects for $^{150}$Nd, refining the nuclear matrix element estimate for neutrinoless double beta decay.

Findings

Nuclear matrix element is suppressed by about 40% when deformation is included.

The new matrix element suggests $^{150}$Nd is a promising candidate for Majorana neutrino mass detection.

Results impact the interpretation of upcoming experimental measurements by SNO+.

Abstract

A microscopic state-of-the-art calculation of the nuclear matrix element for neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{150}$Nd with an account for nuclear deformation is performed. The proton-neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) with a realistic residual interaction [the Brueckner $G$ matrix derived from the charge-depending Bonn (Bonn-CD) nucleon-nucleon potential] is used as the underlying nuclear structure model. The present calculated matrix element is suppressed by about 40% as compared with our previous QRPA result for $^{150}$Nd obtained with neglect of deformation. By making use of this newest nuclear matrix element, one may conclude that neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{150}$Nd, to be measured soon by the SNO+ collaboration, provides one of the best probes of the Majorana neutrino mass.