  The search for neutrinoless double beta decay probes lepton number
conservation with high sensitivity and investigates the neutrino nature and
mass scale. Experiments presently in preparation will cover the
quasi-degeneracy region of the neutrino mass pattern. Probing the so-called
inverted hierarchy region requires improved sensitivities and next-generation
experiments, based either on large expansions of the present searches or on new
ideas. We examine here the potential of a novel technology relying on ZnMoO4
scintillating bolometers, which can provide an experiment with background close
to zero in the ton x year exposure scale. The promising performance of a pilot
detector is presented, both in terms of energy resolution and background
control. A preliminary study of the sensitivities of future experiments shows
that the inverted hierarchy region is within the reach of the technique here
proposed. A realistic phased approach program towards a next-generation search
is presented and briefly discussed.
