Benchmarking 136Xe Neutrinoless ββ Decay Matrix Element Calculations with the 138 Ba(p,t) Reaction
Abstract
We used a high-resolution magnetic spectrograph to study neutron pair-correlated 0+ states in 136Ba, produced via the 138 Ba(p,t) reaction. In conjunction with state-of-the-art shell model calculations, these data benchmark part of the dominant Gamow-Teller component of the nuclear matrix element (NME) for 136Xe neutrinoless double beta (0ββ) decay. We demonstrate for the first time an evaluation of part of a 0ββ decay NME by use of an experimental observable, presenting a new avenue of approach for more accurate calculations of 0ββ decay matrix elements.
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