Selection rules in the ββ decay of deformed nuclei Jorge

The 2ν ββ decay half-lives of six nuclei, whose decays were previously reported as theoretically forbidden, are calculated by including the pairing interaction, which mixes different occupations and opens up the possibility of the decay. All allowed channels for the 0ν ββ decay are also computed. The estimated 2ν ββ half-lives suggest that measurements in Pu may find positive signals, and that planned experiments would succeed in detecting the ββ2ν decay in Gd. Limits for the zero neutrino mode, in the analyzed deformed emitters, are predicted. Pacs numbers: 21.60.Fw, 23.40.Hc, 27.70.+q, 27.90.+b Neutrinoless double beta decay (ββ0ν), if detected, would offer definitive evidence that the neutrino is a Majorana particle, i.e. that it is its own [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]