Angular Correlation of Electrons in Double Beta-Decay

Angular correlation functions for the emitted electrons with corresponding electron energy spectra are obtained, assuming the Majorana theory of the neutrino, for allowed and first-forbidden nuclear double beta-transitions. The associated decay mean lives are estimated ≈10¹² yr, and ≈10¹⁶ yr, respectively, for Z≈50, and an atomic mass difference ≈1.5 Mev. A brief discussion is given of the reported experimental observations of double beta-decay in the light of the deduced angular correlation functions, electron energy spectra, decay mean lives, and selection rules; the improbability of actual occurrence of the allowed 10¹²-yr transitions is pointed out.