Suppression of $0\nu 2\beta$ Decay from CP Violation

TL;DR

This paper explores how CP-violating phases in the neutrino mass matrix can suppress neutrinoless double beta decay, impacting its observability and interpretation in neutrino physics.

Contribution

It investigates the potential suppression of $0 u 2eta$ decay due to CP violation effects in the neutrino mass matrix, a factor often neglected in previous analyses.

Findings

CP phases can significantly suppress $0 u 2eta$ decay rates

Suppression depends on specific neutrino mass matrix zeros

Implications for experimental detection of neutrinoless double beta decay

Abstract

The observed phenomenon of neutrino oscillations is interpreted as the proof that neutrinos must have mass. As this is true for the neutrinos in the mass basis, the mass matrix in the flavor (weak) basis may still contain zeros. This can happen if the CP violating phases, usually neglected, come into play and result in suppression of processes which half-life depends on the masses of $\nu_e$, $\nu_\mu$, or $\nu_\tau$. In the present paper we investigate the possibility of such suppression of the neutrinoless double beta decay ($0\nu2\beta$).