Majorana neutrino mass constraints in the landscape of nuclear matrix elements

Abstract

We discuss up-to-date constraints on the Majorana neutrino mass $m_{\beta\beta}$ from neutrinoless double beta decay ($0\nu\beta\beta$) searches in experiments using different isotopes: KamLAND-Zen and EXO ($^{136}$Xe), GERDA and MAJORANA ($^{76}$Ge) and CUORE ($^{130}$Te). Best fits and upper bounds on $m_{\beta\beta}$ are explored in the general landscape of nuclear matrix elements (NME), as well as for specific NME values obtained in representative nuclear models. By approximating the likelihood of $0\nu\beta\beta$ signals through quadratic forms, the analysis of separate and combined isotope data becomes exceedingly simple, and allows to clarify various aspects of multi-isotope data combinations. In particular, we analyze the relative impact of different data in setting upper bounds on $m_{\beta\beta}$, as well as the conditions leading to nonzero $m_{\beta\beta}$ at best fit, for variable values of the NMEs. Detailed results on $m_{\beta\beta}$ from various combinations of data are reported in graphical and numerical form. Implications for future $0\nu\beta\beta$ data analyses and NME calculations are briefly discussed.