Double beta decay in left-right symmetric models

Left-right symmetric models provide a natural framework for neutrinoless double beta (0 nu beta beta) decay. In the analysis of 0 nu beta beta decay in left-right symmetric models, however, it is usually assumed that all neutrinos are light. On the other hand, heavy right-handed neutrinos appear quite naturally in left-right symmetric models and should therefore not be neglected. Assuming the existence of at least one right-handed heavy neutrino, absence of 0 nu beta beta decay of Ge-76 currently provides the following limits on the mass and mixing angle of right-handed W-bosons: m(WR) greater than or equal to 1.1 TeV and tan(xi) less than or equal to 4.7 x 10(-3) for a particular value of the effective right-handed neutrino mass, [m(N)((V))] = 1 TeV, and in the limit of infinitely massive doubly charged Higgs (Delta(--)). The effects of the inclusion of the Higgs triplet on 0 nu beta beta decay are also discussed.