Double beta decay of 48^{48}Ca

$^{48}$Ca, the lightest double beta decay candidate, is the only one simple enough to be treated exactly in the nuclear shell model. Thus, the $\beta\beta(2\nu)$ half-life measurement, reported here, provides a unique test of the nuclear physics involved in the $\beta\beta$ matrix element calculation. Enriched $^{48}$Ca sources of two different thicknesses have been exposed in a time projection chamber, and yield T$_{1/2}^{2\nu} = (4.3^{+2.4}_{-1.1} [{\rm stat.}] \pm 1.4 [{\rm syst.}]) \times 10^{19}$ years, compatible with the shell model calculations.Comment: 4 pages, LaTex, 3 figures imbedded, PRL forma

Fast-Neutron Activation of Long-Lived Isotopes in Enriched Ge

We measured the production of \nuc{57}{Co}, \nuc{54}{Mn}, \nuc{68}{Ge}, \nuc{65}{Zn}, and \nuc{60}{Co} in a sample of Ge enriched in isotope 76 due to high-energy neutron interactions. These isotopes, especially \nuc{68}{Ge}, are critical in understanding background in Ge detectors used for double-beta decay experiments. They are produced by cosmogenic-neutron interactions in the detectors while they reside on the Earth's surface. These production rates were measured at neutron energies of a few hundred MeV. We compared the measured production to that predicted by cross-section calculations based on CEM03.02. The cross section calculations over-predict our measurements by approximately a factor of three depending on isotope. We then use the measured cosmic-ray neutron flux, our measurements, and the CEM03.02 cross sections to predict the cosmogenic production rate of these isotopes. The uncertainty in extrapolating the cross section model to higher energies dominates the total uncertainty in the cosmogenic production rate.Comment: Revised after feedback and further work on extrapolating cross sections to higher energies in order to estimate cosmic production rates. Also a numerical error was found and fixed in the estimate of the Co-57 production rat

On nuclear matrix element uncertainties in short range 0vBB decay

The evaluation of short range contributions to neutrinoless double beta decay has been challenged due to critics of the ansatz of the nuclear matrix element calculations. We comment on the critics and uncertainties of these calculations and the effect on the derived limits.Comment: 3 pages, Latex, new arguments adde

Limits on the Majorana neutrino mass in the 0.1 eV range

The Heidelberg-Moscow experiment gives the most stringent limit on the Majorana neutrino mass. After 24 kg yr of data with pulse shape measurements, we set a lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless double beta decay in 76Ge of T_1/2 > 5.7 * 10^{25} yr at 90% C.L., thus excluding an effective Majorana neutrino mass greater than 0.2 eV. This allows to set strong constraints on degenerate neutrino mass models.Comment: 6 pages (latex) including 3 postscript figures and 2 table

SMMC method for two-neutrino double beta decay

Shell Model Monte Carlo (SMMC) techniques are used to calculate two-neutrino double beta decay matrix elements. We validate the approach against direct diagonalization for $^{48}$Ca in the complete $pf$-shell using the KB3 interaction. The method is then applied to the decay of $^{76}$Ge in the $(0f_{5/2},1p,0g_{9/2})$ model space using a newly calculated realistic interaction. Our result for the matrix element is $0.13\pm0.05$ MeV$^{-1}$, in agreement with the experimental value.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures available at http://www.krl.caltech.edu/preprints/MAP.htm

Chaotic Amplification of Neutrino Chemical Potentials by Neutrino Oscillations in Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

We investigate in detail the parameter space of active-sterile neutrino oscillations that amplifies neutrino chemical potentials at the epoch of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. We calculate the magnitude of the amplification and show evidences of chaos in the amplification process. We also discuss the implications of the neutrino chemical potential amplification in the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. It is shown that with a $\sim 1$ eV \nue, the amplification of its chemical potential by active-sterile neutrino oscillations can lower the effective number of neutrino species at Big Bang Nucleosynthesis to significantly below 3.Comment: Revtex 20 pages, 7 postscript figures. Also by ftp://astro.queensu.ca/pub/shi/ . Submitted to PR

The Heidelberg-Moscow double beta decay experiment with enriched 76Ge. First results

Abstract The status of the Heidelberg-Moscow ββ-experiment using isotopically enriched 76Ge is reported. The results of 14.8 mol yr (or 1.29 kg yr) of operation are presented. From these data a new half life time for the ββ0v-decay of 76Ge to the ground state of 76Se of T 1 2 1.4 (2.5) X 10 24 yr with 90% (68%) CL can be deduced. For a possible neutrinoless decay to the first excited state a half life of 4.3(8.2)X1023 yr can be excluded with 90% (68%) CL