Theoretical description of the double beta decay of 160Gd

Abstract

The half-life of the 2 neutrino double-beta-decay of 160Gd, a process which was previously reported as theoretically forbidden, is estimated by including the pairing interaction, which mixes different occupations and opens channels for the decay. Explicit expressions are presented for the pairing mixing, and for the 2 nu and 0 nu double-beta-decay nuclear matrix elements in the present pseudo SU(3) approach. The estimated double-beta-decay half-lives suggest that the planned experiments would succeed in detecting the 2 nu double-beta-decay in 160Gd, and in putting competitive limits for the zero neutrino mode.