Neutrino-less Double Electron Capture - a tool to research for Majorana neutrinos

Abstract

The possibility to observe the neutrino-less double $ β$ decay and thus to prove the Majorana nature of neutrino as well as provide a sensitive measure of its mass is a major challenge of to-day's neutrino physics. As an attractive alternative we propose to study the inverse process, the radiative neutrino-less double electron capture $0 ν2EC$. The associated monoenergetic photon provides a convenient experimental signature. Other advantages include the favourable ratio of the $0 ν2EC$ to the competing $2ν2EC$ capture rates and, very importantly, the existence of coincidence trigger to suppress the random background. These advantages partly offset the expected longer lifetimes. Rates for the $0γ2EC$ process are calculated. High Z atoms are strongly favoured. A resonance enhancement of the capture rates is predicted at energy release comparable to the $2P-1S$ atomic level difference. The resonance conditions are likely to be met for decays to excited states in final nuclei. Candidates for such studies are considered. The experimental feasibility is estimated and found highly encouraging.