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Double-beta decay with majoron emission in GERDA Phase I

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Abstract

Neutrinoless double-beta decay with emission of one or two majorons (0νββχ(χ)) is predicted by several beyond-Standard-Model theories. This article reviews the results of a search for 0νββχ(χ) of 76Ge using data from the Germanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment, located underground at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) in Italy. The analysis comprised data with an exposure of 20.3 kg·yr from the first phase of the experiment. No indication of contributions to the observed energy spectra was detected for any of the majoron models. The lower limit on the half-life for the ordinary majoron model (spectral index n = 1 was determined to be T 0νβ1/2 > 4.2 · 1023 yr (90% quantile). This limit and the limits derived for the other majoron modes constitute the most stringent limits on 0νββχ(χ) decay of 76Ge measured to date.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università di Padova and INFN Padova, Padova, Italy

    Sabine Hemmer

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  1. Sabine Hemmer
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Correspondence to Sabine Hemmer.

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This paper is based on the author’s PhD thesis, that was awarded the INFN “Bruno Rossi” prize in 2014.

On behalf of the Gerda Collaboration.

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Hemmer, S. Double-beta decay with majoron emission in GERDA Phase I. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 130, 139 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2015-15139-8

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