Probing the nuclide 180W for neutrinoless double-electron capture exploration

TL;DR

This paper measures the mass difference of 180W and 180Hf to evaluate 180W as a candidate for neutrinoless double-electron capture, providing key data for future neutrino physics research.

Contribution

It provides the first precise measurement of the Q-value for 180W, assessing its potential for neutrinoless double-electron capture searches.

Findings

Q-value measured to 143.20(27) keV

Estimated half-life of approximately 5×10^27 years/<m_ee[eV]>^2

Supports 180W as a promising candidate for neutrino mass studies

Abstract

The mass difference of the nuclides 180W and 180Hf has been measured with the Penning-trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP to investigate 180W as a possible candidate for the search for neutrinoless doubleelectron capture. The Q-value was measured to 143.20(27)keV. This value in combination with the calculations of the atomic electron wave functions and other parameters results in a half-life of the 0+ \rightarrow 0+ ground-state to ground-state double-electron capture transition of approximately 5\cdot10E27 years/<m_ee[eV]>^2.