Multiple-resonance phenomenon in neutrinoless double-electron capture

Abstract

A superposition of multiple resonance states in neutrinoless double-electron capture in ${}^{156}\text{Dy}$ has been discovered. Penning-trap mass spectrometry has been used for atomic-mass-difference measurements and careful calculations of electron wave functions and double-hole binding energies have been performed to determine the resonance-enhancement factors. Transitions to four nuclear excited states in the daughter nuclide ${}^{156}\text{Gd}$ have been identified as resonantly enhanced, including one with a full resonant enhancement, within the uncertainty of 100 eV. This phenomenon is unique in that it can be used to probe the mechanisms of neutrinoless processes.