2013/06/30 by Julian Heeck, Werner Rodejohann · 66 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #BETA (programming language) #Beta decay #Computer science #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Double beta decay #Neutrino #Neutrino Physics Research #Nuclear physics #Particle physics #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Physics #hep-ex #hep-ph #nucl-ex #nucl-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1209/0295-5075/103/32001
published in Europhysics Letters (EPL) 103(3), 32001 (Institute of Physics) · 5 pages, 4 figures. Minor changes, accepted by EPL
arxiv created 2013/07/25 · openalex publication_date 2013/08/01 · arxiv updated 2013/08/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We point out that lepton number violation is possible even if neutrinos are Dirac particles. We illustrate this by constructing a simple model that allows for lepton number violation by four units only. As a consequence, neutrinoless double beta decay is forbidden, but neutrinoless quadruple beta decay is possible: . We identify three candidate isotopes for this decay, the most promising one being 150 Nd due to its high -value of . Analogous processes, such as neutrinoless quadruple electron capture, are also possible. The expected lifetimes are extremely long, and experimental searches are challenging.