Detection of neutrinoless double-beta decay

Abstract

A distinctive feature of the double-beta decay signature that has been neglected in direct counting experiments is the appearance of the daughter atom. The newly created nucleus, usually being stable, is not easily detected. The atomic physics of the daughter, however, may be considerably more accommodating, especially in the case of ionized $^{136}\mathrm{Ba}$ arising from the double-beta decay of $^{136}\mathrm{Xe}$. The barium ion isolated in the xenon matrix may be detectable by its laser fluorescence. Coincident detection of the ion and the beta particles could well render background nonexistent.