Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay: 2015 Review

Abstract EN

The discovery of neutrino masses through the observation of oscillations boosted the importance of neutrinoless double beta decay ( 0 ν β β ).

In this paper, we review the main features of this process, underlining its key role from both the experimental and theoretical point of view.

In particular, we contextualize the 0 ν β β in the panorama of lepton number violating processes, also assessing some possible particle physics mechanisms mediating the process.

Since the 0 ν β β existence is correlated with neutrino masses, we also review the state of the art of the theoretical understanding of neutrino masses.

In the final part, the status of current 0 ν β β experiments is presented and the prospects for the future hunt for 0 ν β β are discussed.

Also, experimental data coming from cosmological surveys are considered and their impact on 0 ν β β expectations is examined.