Neutrino spectrum, oscillation scenarios and neutrinoless double beta decay

Abstract

We introduce the representation on one unitarity triangle of the constraints resulting (1) from the interpretation of solar and atmospheric neutrino data in terms of oscillations, and (2) from the search for neutrinoless double beta decay. We show its use for the study of a nearly degenerate neutrino spectrum. The representation shows clearly the particular cases when the neutrinoless double beta decay rate can (or cannot) be small, that is: when the connection of the decay rate with the neutrino spectrum is less (or more) direct. These cases turn out to depend crucially on the scenario of oscillation (MSW solutions, vacuum oscillations, averaged oscillations), and in particular on the size of the mixing between the electron neutrino and the neutrino state giving rise to atmospheric neutrino oscillations.