The MEDEX (Matrix Elements for the Double beta decay EXperiments) conference is dedicated to presenting different methods of nuclear matrix elements (NMEs) calculations in connection with the nuclear double beta decay processes.
Several double beta decay experiments are collecting data with enriched isotope masses ranging from a few kilograms to over 100 kg, with some reaching tonnes, and there are ongoing plans to further extend these isotope quantities. These efforts involve various isotopes and utilize a broad array of detection techniques (e.g., KamLAND-Zen, SNO+, EXO-200/nEXO, NEXT, LEGEND (GERDA + Majorana), CUORE, CUPID, SuperNEMO, AMoRE, BINGO, COBRA, etc.). Experiments of this scale place enormous demands on the progress and reliability of nuclear matrix element calculations. Additionally, research in special modes of ββ decay, such as β+β+ or 2νECEC, is becoming increasingly interesting from both experimental and theoretical perspectives (e.g., XENON1T, COBRA, TGV, etc.). Further development of the theory behind these processes is crucial for the continuation of experimental activities in this field.
The extended scope of the MEDEX conference also includes other areas where the same techniques are applied, namely in dark matter detection, rare electroweak decays, and neutrino-nucleus scattering processes.
The MEDEX conference has been organized every second year since 1997 by the Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, Czech Technical University in Prague (Prague, Czech Republic); the University of La Plata (La Plata, Argentina); and the University of Jyväskylä (Jyväskylä, Finland).
