Nuclear Matrix Elements for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay from Lattice QCD

Abstract

Neutrinoless double-beta decay (0vbb) is a hypothetical nuclear decay that is only possible if the neutrino is a Majorana fermion. Experimental searches for this process with ever-increasing sensitivity have placed strong constraints on the 0vbb half-lives of relevant isotopes. Relating these experimental half-lives to the underlying particle physics -- the effective Majorana mass of the neutrino -- requires understanding of the nuclear matrix elements for the transition. These matrix elements can be computed within a nuclear effective field theory framework, but input from lattice QCD is necessary to constrain low-energy constants relevant for the decay. This talk will discuss calculations of these matrix elements using lattice QCD and the implications for determination of nuclear EFT parameters.