Affiliation:
1. Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Postfach 103980, D-69029 Heidelberg, Germany
Abstract
The data of the Heidelberg–Moscow double beta decay experiment for the measuring period August 1990–May 2000 (54.9813 kg y or 723.44 molyears), published recently, are analyzed using the potential of the Bayesian method for low counting rates. First evidence for neutrinoless double beta decay is observed giving first evidence for lepton number violation. The evidence for this decay mode is 97% (2.2σ) with the Bayesian method, and 99.8% c.l. (3.1σ) with the method recommended by the Particle Data Group. The half-life of the process is found with the Bayesian method to be [Formula: see text] (95% c.l.) with a best value of 1.5 × 1025 y . The deduced value of the effective neutrino mass is, with the nuclear matrix elements from Ref. 1, <m> = (0.11–0.56) eV (95% c.l.), with a best value of 0.39 eV. Uncertainties in the nuclear matrix elements may widen the range given for the effective neutrino mass by at most a factor 2. Our observation which at the same time means evidence that the neutrino is a Majorana particle, will be of fundamental importance for neutrino physics.
Publisher
World Scientific Pub Co Pte Lt
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy,Astronomy and Astrophysics,Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Cited by
486 articles.
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