Constraining New Physics with a Positive or Negative Signal of Neutrino-less Double Beta Decay

TL;DR

This paper explores how future neutrino-less double beta decay experiments can constrain new physics contributions, emphasizing the importance of combined experimental and theoretical improvements for robust bounds.

Contribution

It provides a numerical analysis of how experimental outcomes and theoretical knowledge impact constraints on short-range neutrino-less double beta decay contributions.

Findings

Positive signals can lead to strong bounds on new physics

Better nuclear physics understanding improves constraint robustness

Combined experimental data enhances sensitivity to new physics

Abstract

We investigate numerically how accurately one could constrain the strengths of different short-range contributions to neutrino-less double beta decay in effective field theory. Depending on the outcome of near-future experiments yielding information on the neutrino masses, the corresponding bounds or estimates can be stronger or weaker. A particularly interesting case, resulting in strong bounds, would be a positive signal of neutrino-less double beta decay that is consistent with complementary information from neutrino oscillation experiments, kinematical determinations of the neutrino mass, and measurements of the sum of light neutrino masses from cosmological observations. The keys to more robust bounds are improvements of the knowledge of the nuclear physics involved and a better experimental accuracy.