Neutrino–nucleus interactions as a probe to constrain double-beta decay predictions

Abstract

We propose to use charged-current neutrino–nucleus interactions as a probe of the many virtual transitions involved in neutrinoless double-beta decay. By performing ν and interaction studies on the initial and final nucleus, respectively, one can get information on the two branches involved in the double-beta decay process. The measurement of such reactions could help to further constrain double-beta decay predictions on the half-lives. We discuss that such studies can be performed either with conventional beams or with low-energy beta-beams. The search for neutrinoless double-beta decay is a crucial issue for learning about neutrino properties, in particular about the Dirac or Majorana nature of neutrinos, important for various domains of physics.