Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

Abstract

We review the potential to probe new physics with neutrinoless double beta decay $(A,Z)\to (A,Z+2)+2e^{-}$. Both the standard long-range light neutrino mechanism as well as short-range mechanisms mediated by heavy particles are discussed. We also stress aspects of the connection to lepton number violation at colliders and the implications for baryogenesis.

Comments: Review prepared for the NJP focus issue on "Neutrino Physics". 23 pages, 10 figures