Abstract
Bayesian parameter inference techniques require a choice of prior distribution which can strongly impact the statistical conclusions drawn. We discuss the construction of least-informative priors for neutrinoless double beta decay searches. Such priors attempt to be objective by maximizing the information gain from an experimental setup. In a parametrization using the lightest neutrino mass $m_l$ and an effective Majorana phase parameter $\Phi$, we construct such a prior using two different approaches and compare them with the standard flat and logarithmic priors in $m_l$.
Highlights
Neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay is a hypothetical process of crucial interest due to its sensitivity both to the neutrino mass scale and to lepton-number violation
We have here focused on the neutrino parameter space relevant to 0νββ decay searches, the lightest neutrino mass ml and an effective Majorana phase parameter Φ encapsulating the effect of the Majorana phases in the lepton mixing matrix
Given that 0νββ decay has not been observed yet, prior distributions are expected to have a strong impact on the conclusions drawn
Summary
Neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay is a hypothetical process of crucial interest due to its sensitivity both to the neutrino mass scale and to lepton-number violation. While a measurement of the 0νββ decay rate has not yet been made, upper bounds have been placed on the effective 0νββ mass mββ, from which constraints on the neutrino mass scale and Majorana phases may be inferred. The focus of the present work is the development of computational techniques for data-driven Bayesian inference on the 0νββ parameter space Bayesian methodologies such as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) require a choice of prior distribution, which can strongly influence derived bounds. We consider the light neutrino exchange mechanism for 0νββ decay and use published or Poisson-estimatedPlikelihood functions from cosmological observations of mi and direct searches for mββ to derive bounds on the neutrino masses and Majorana phases.
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