Proton pair correlations and the neutrinoless double-β decay of 76Ge

A. Roberts, A. M. Howard, J. J. Kolata, A. N. Villano, F. D. Becchetti, P. A. Deyoung, M. Febbraro, S. J. Freeman, B. P. Kay, S. A. McAllister, A. J. Mitchell, J. P. Schiffer, J. S. Thomas, R. O. Torres-Isea

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Abstract

Proton pair correlations relevant for the neutrinoless double-β decay of 76Ge have been probed via the 74,76Ge(3He,n) reactions at 16 MeV. No evidence for pairing vibrations in either nucleus is observed at sensitivity limits of ∼6% and ∼19% of the ground-state strength in 76Se and 78Se, respectively. These results are relevant for the understanding of matrix elements for neutrinoless double-β decay. The lack of pairing vibrations is consistent with a simple BCS structure for the ground states of 76Ge and 76Se, assumed in quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA) models of the process.

Original languageEnglish
Article number051305
JournalPhysical Review C - Nuclear Physics
Volume87
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 28 2013
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Science Foundation0969058
Science and Technology Facilities CouncilST/J000159/1

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