Accurate Q-Value for the ^{74}Se Double Electron Capture Decay

Abstract

The Q value of the neutrinoless double electron capture (0{nu}ECEC) decay of ^{74}Se was measured by using the JYFLTRAP Penning trap. The determined value is 1209.169(49) keV, which practically excludes the possibility of a complete energy degeneracy with the second 2^{+} state (1204-205(7) keV) of ^{74}Ge in a resoant 0{nu}ECEC decay. We have also computed the associated nuclear matrix element by using a microscopic nuclear model with realistic two-nucleon interactions. The computed matrix element is found to be quite small. The failure of the resonant condition, combined with the small nuclear matrix element and needed p-wave capture, suppresses the decay rate strongly and thus excludes ^{74}Se as a possible candidate to search for resonant 0{nu}ECEC processes.