NEMO-3 and SuperNEMO: A search for zero neutrino double beta decay

The NEMO-3 experiment is located in the Modane Underground Laboratory (LSM) and has been taking data with seven isotopes from 2003. It is searching for the double beta decay process with two (2 nu beta beta) or zero (0 nu beta beta) neutrinos emitted in the final state. Precision measurements of the half-life of the isotopes due to 2 nu beta beta decay have been performed and updated results for all of the isotopes will be published. In particular T-1/2(0 nu)(Mo-100) = [7.17 +/- 0.01(stat) +/- 0.54(syst)] . 10(18)y and the nuclear matrix elements (NME) 0.126 +/- 0.006 is presented here. No evidence for 0 nu beta beta decay has been found and a 90% Confidence Level lower limit of T-1/2(0 nu)(Mo-100) > [1 . 10(24)y] on the half-life of this process is derived. From this a upper limit can be set on the effective Majorana neutrino mass using nuclear matrix element (NME) calculations. NEMO-3 will stop in 2010. A four year R&D programme has been. undertaken for SuperNEMO, the successor to NEMO-3. The construction of a demonstrator has begun and will be situated on the site of NEMO-3.