Next generation double-beta decay experiments: metrics for their evaluation

Abstract

We discuss the six most important parameters that should be used in the computation of figures of merit of various proposed searches for neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ-decay). We begin by discussing the connection of this decay mode to the effective Majorana mass of the electron neutrino and the expected experimental sensitivities of favoured techniques. We then discuss the proposed next generation 0νββ-decay experimental techniques in the context of an expression for the experimental figure-of-merit. Finally, we discuss the various proposed experiments in the context of their figure-of-merit parameters. We conclude that the important parameters are the nuclear structure (theoretical rate of decay), isotopic abundance of the parent nuclide and detection efficiency for 0νββ-decay. These enter the equation linearly. Also important are: the mass of the source, and the background rate, although these enter to the one-half power. Energy resolution, while also entering the figure-of-merit to the one half power, is crucial for the discovery potential.