Double beta decay: The particle physics point of view

by Dr Martin Hirsch (IFIC Valencia)

Tuesday 28 May 2013, 17:15 → 18:15 Europe/Berlin

Universe

Neutrinoless double beta decay (0nbb) is mostly known as a sensitive probe for Majorana neutrino masses. However, since double beta decay is a process which violates lepton number, in principle all kind of extensions beyond the standard model of particle physics which have lepton number violation are constrained by limits from double beta decay. Examples are left-right symmetric models or R-parity violating supersymmetry. After giving a fairly general introduction to double beta decay, this talk discusses the current status and (near) future expectations for the mass mechanism of double beta decay before turning to the general decomposition of the 0nbb decay operator and possible tests of the short-range part of the 0nbb decay amplitude at the LHC.