Heavy-ion double charge exchange reactions: a tool towards 0v\b{eta}\b{eta} nuclear matrix elements

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to determine nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double beta decay by measuring double charge exchange reaction cross sections, supported by initial experimental results.

Contribution

It introduces an innovative technique linking double charge exchange reactions to nuclear matrix elements, offering a new approach for neutrino physics research.

Findings

Cross section factorization reasonably holds for 40Ca reaction

Initial experimental results support the proposed method

Method could improve understanding of 0vββ decay mechanisms

Abstract

The knowledge of the nuclear matrix elements for the neutrinoless double beta decay is fundamental for neutrino physics. In this paper, an innovative technique to extract information on the nuclear matrix elements by measuring the cross section of a double charge exchange nuclear reaction is proposed. The basic point is that the initial and final state wave functions in the two processes are the same and the transition operators are similar. The double charge exchange cross sections can be factorized in a nuclear structure term containing the matrix elements and a nuclear reaction factor. First pioneering experimental results for the 40Ca(18O,18Ne)40Ar reaction at 270 MeV incident energy show that such cross section factorization reasonably holds for the crucial 0+ --> 0+ transition to 40Args, at least at very forward angles.