The overarching topic of my thesis is neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ), a theoretical decay process whose observation would confirm the Majorana nature of the neutrino as well as constraining various mechanism-dependent parameters. The decay additionally violates lepton number conservation, one of the hallmark (though accidental) global symmetries of the Standard Model, making its observation an unprecedented window into new physics. While numerous cutting-edge experiments continue to tighten the parameter space of this elusive decay, theoretical errors on (0νββ) amplitudes are dominated by uncertainties in the nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) which represent the nuclear structure contribution to the decay. My present research has two independent streams, which are pursued simultaneously and draw on distinct skill sets, but also share the goal of improving these NME uncertainties.
Stream 1: Bayesian Inference on Future 0νββ Constraints
Stream 2: Short-Range 0νββ Amplitudes from Chiral EFT
Details coming soon.