Investigation of pair-correlated $0^+$ states in $^{134}$Ba via the $^{136}$Ba($p,t$) reaction

TL;DR

This study investigates the excited $0^+$ states in $^{134}$Ba using a two-neutron transfer reaction, revealing significant pair-transfer strength and discussing implications for neutrinoless double beta decay matrix elements.

Contribution

It provides high-resolution data on $0^+$ states in $^{134}$Ba and explores their relevance to double beta decay calculations, a novel application in this context.

Findings

Significant $L=0$ pair-transfer strength at excited $0^+$ levels

Implications for neutrinoless double beta decay matrix elements

Enhanced understanding of nuclear structure in $^{134}$Ba

Abstract

We performed a high resolution study of $0^{+}$ states in $^{134}$Ba using the $^{136}$Ba($p,t$) two-neutron transfer reaction. Our experiment shows a significant portion of the $L = 0$ pair-transfer strength concentrated at excited $0^+$ levels in $^{134}$Ba. Potential implications in the context of $^{136}$Xe $\to$ $^{136}$Ba neutrinoless double beta decay matrix element calculations are briefly discussed.