[Paper Review] New physics potential of double beta decay and dark matter search

H. V. Klapdor‐Kleingrothaus, Heinrich Päs|ArXiv.org|Aug 18, 1998

Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena3 citations

TL;DR

This paper reviews the potential of double beta decay and direct dark matter detection to probe physics beyond the Standard Model, focusing on constraints from the Heidelberg-Moscow experiment. It presents stringent limits on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, left-right symmetric models, leptoquarks, supersymmetry, and spin-independent WIMP-nucleon interactions, while outlining the future GENIUS proposal for enhanced sensitivity.

ABSTRACT

The search for neutrinoless double beta decay and WIMP dark matter has a broad potential to test particle physics beyond the standard model. During the last years, the analysis of various contributions to the double beta decay rate by the Heidelberg group led, besides the most restrictive limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, to bounds on left-right-symmetric models, leptoquarks and supersymmetry. In a general framework bounds on arbitrary lepton number violating theories can be derived. Using double beta technology for direct dark matter detection, stringent limits on the spin-independent WIMP--nucleon interaction have been obtained. These results deduced from the Heidelberg-Moscow double beta decay experiment are reviewed. Also an outlook on the future of double beta decay and dark matter search, the GENIUS proposal, is given.

Motivation & Objective

• To assess the potential of double beta decay and direct dark matter detection in probing physics beyond the Standard Model.
• To derive model-independent bounds on lepton number violating theories using double beta decay data.
• To apply double beta decay technology to set stringent limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon interactions.
• To review the most restrictive experimental constraints on the effective Majorana neutrino mass from the Heidelberg-Moscow experiment.
• To present the GENIUS proposal as a next-generation approach for enhancing sensitivity in both double beta decay and dark matter searches.

Proposed method

• Analysis of contributions to the double beta decay rate from various beyond-Standard-Model mechanisms, including Majoron emission and R-parity violating SUSY.
• Use of the Heidelberg-Moscow double beta decay experiment data to constrain effective Majorana neutrino mass and other parameters.
• Application of double beta decay detector technology to direct dark matter detection, leveraging similar low-background techniques.
• Derivation of model-independent bounds on lepton number violating interactions using the double beta decay rate formalism.
• Use of theoretical frameworks such as left-right symmetric models and leptoquark models to interpret experimental limits.
• Outlining the GENIUS proposal, which aims to significantly improve sensitivity through low-background, high-purity germanium detectors.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What are the most stringent experimental limits on the effective Majorana neutrino mass from double beta decay?
• RQ2 How can double beta decay data constrain left-right symmetric models, leptoquarks, and supersymmetry?
• RQ3 To what extent can double beta decay technology be repurposed for direct detection of spin-independent WIMP-nucleon interactions?
• RQ4 What are the model-independent bounds on lepton number violating theories derived from double beta decay?
• RQ5 How does the GENIUS proposal improve sensitivity for both double beta decay and dark matter detection?

Key findings

• The Heidelberg-Moscow experiment established the most restrictive upper limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass at that time.
• Significant constraints were derived on left-right symmetric models, leptoquarks, and R-parity violating supersymmetry through double beta decay analysis.
• Stringent limits were placed on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon scattering cross-section using double beta decay technology.
• Model-independent bounds on lepton number violating interactions were derived using the general double beta decay rate formalism.
• The GENIUS proposal was presented as a next-generation experiment with enhanced sensitivity for both double beta decay and dark matter detection.
• The paper demonstrated the dual utility of double beta decay experiments in probing both neutrino properties and dark matter.