Is realization of Majorana neutrino and neutrinoless double beta decay possible in the framework of standard weak interactions?

Usually it is supposed that Majorana neutrino produced in the superposition state χ _L = ν _L + (ν _L ) ^c and then follows the neutrinoless double beta decay. But since the standard weak interactions are chiral invariant then neutrino at production has definite helicity (ν _L and (ν _L ) ^c have opposite spirality). Then these neutrinos are separately produced and their superposition state cannot appear. Thus we see that for unsuitable helicity the neutrinoless double β decay is not possible even if it is supposed that neutrino is a Majorana particle (i.e. there is not a lepton number which is conserved). Also transition of Majorana neutrino ν _L into antineutrino (ν _L ) ^c at their oscillations is forbidden since helicity in vacuum holds. Transition Majora neutrino ν _L into (ν _R ) ^c (i.e., ν _L → (ν _R ) ^c ) at oscillations is unobserved since it is supposed that mass of (ν _R ) ^c is very big. If neutrino is a Dirac particle there can be transition of ν _L neutrino into (sterile) antineutrino $ \bar v_R $ \bar v_R (i.e., ν _L → $ \bar v_R $ \bar v_R ) at neutrino oscillations if there takes place double violation of lepton number. It is necessary also to remark that introducing of a Majorana neutrino implies violation of global and local gauge invariance in the standard weak interactions.     

Search for ν<Subscript>μ</Subscript> → ν<Subscript>τ</Subscript> oscillations in appearance mode in the OPERA experiment

The OPERA experiment at the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory (LNGS) has to perform the first detection of neutrino oscillations in appearance mode through the direct observation of ν_μ → ν_τ. The apparatus consists of a lead/emulsion-film target complemented by electronic detectors. It is placed in the high-energy, long-baseline CERN neutrino beam (CNGS) 730 km away from the neutrino source. Runs with CNGS neutrinos were successfully carried out in 2008–2009 with the first candidate event ν_μ → gv_τ recently detected.     

Neutrino decay as a possible interpretation of the MiniBooNE observation with unparticle scenario

In a new measurement on neutrino oscillations, ν_μ→ν_e, the MiniBooNE Collaboration observes an excess of electron-like events at low energy and the phenomenon may demand an explanation that obviously is beyond the oscillation picture. We propose that the heavier neutrino, ν₂, decaying into a lighter one, ν₁, via the transition process ν_μ→ν_e+X, where X denotes any light products, could be a natural mechanism. The theoretical model we employ here is the unparticle scenario established by Georgi. We have studied two particular modes and ν_μ→ν_e+ν̄_e+ν_e. Unfortunately, the number coming out of the computation is too small to explain the observation. Moreover, our results are consistent with the cosmology constraint on the neutrino life time and the theoretical estimation made by other groups; therefore, we can conclude that even though neutrino decay seems plausible in this case, it indeed cannot be the source of the peak at lower energy observed by the MiniBooNE Collaboration and there should be other mechanisms responsible for the phenomenon.     

Remarks to the standard scheme (theory) of neutrino oscillations. Corrected scheme of neutrino oscillations

In the standard theory of neutrino oscillations, it is supposed that physically observed neutrino states ν _e , ν_μ, ν_τ, have no definite masses, that they are initially produced as a mixture of the ν₁, ν₂, ν₃ neutrino states (i.e., they are produced as a wave packet), and that neutrino oscillations are the real ones. Then, this wave packet must decompose at a definite distance into constituent parts and neutrino oscillations must disappear. It was shown that these suppositions lead to violation of the law of energy and momentum conservation. An alternative scheme of neutrino oscillations obtained within the framework of particle physics has been considered, where the above mentioned shortcomings are absent, the oscillations of neutrinos with equal masses are the real ones, and the oscillations of neutrinos with different masses are the virtual ones. Expressions for probabilities of neutrino transitions (oscillations) in the alternative (corrected) scheme are given. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Final results on the search for νμ→νe oscillations in the NOMAD experiment

The results of the search for ν _μ →ν _e oscillations in the NOMAD experiment at CERN are presented. The experiment looked for the appearance of ν _e in a predominantly ν _μ wideband neutrino beam at the CERN SPS. No evidence for oscillations was found. The 90% confidence limits obtained are Δm ²<0.4 eV² for maximal mixing and sin²(2θ)<1.4×10⁻³ for large Δm ². This result excludes the LSND allowed region of oscillation parameters with Δm ²≳10 eV². From Yadernaya Fizika, Vol. 67, No. 11, 2004, pp. 1967–1972. Original English Text Copyright ? 2004 by Popov. This article was submitted by the author in English. The author represents the NOMAD Collaboration     

Neutrino mixing and masses in a left–right model with mirror fermions

In the framework of a left–right model containing mirror fermions with gauge group SU(3) _C ⊗SU(2) _L ⊗SU(2) _R ⊗U(1) _Y′, we estimate the neutrino masses, which are found to be consistent with their experimental bounds and hierarchy. We evaluate the decay rates of the Lepton Flavor Violation (LFV) processes μ→eγ, τ→μγ and τ→eγ. We obtain upper limits for the flavor-changing branching ratios in agreement with their present experimental bounds. We also estimate the decay rates of heavy Majorana neutrinos in the channels N→W ^± l ^∓, N→Zν _l and N→Hν _l , which are roughly equal for large values of the heavy neutrino mass. Starting from the most general Majorana neutrino mass matrix, the smallness of active neutrino masses turns out from the interplay of the hierarchy of the involved scales and the double application of seesaw mechanism. An appropriate parameterization on the structure of the neutrino mass matrix imposing a symmetric mixing of electron neutrino with muon and tau neutrinos leads to tri-bimaximal mixing matrix for light neutrinos.     

New neutrino experiments

Following incredible recent progress in understanding neutrino oscillations, many new ambitious experiments are being planned to study neutrino properties. The most important may be to find a non-zero value of θ₁₃. The most promising way to do this appears to be to measurev _μ →v _e oscillations with anE/L near Δm _atmo ² . Future neutrino experiments are great.     

Synchrotron and annihilation channels for axion production in an external electromagnetic field

We consider axion formation processes in the synchrotron (e ⁻→e ⁻ a) and annihilation (e ⁻ e ⁺→a) channels in a constant crossed field F _μν F^μν=Fμν*F ^μν =0, which approximates constant fields of other configurations in the ultrarelativistic asymptotic limit. The probability and intensity of axion emission are obtained, and we analyze the energy and field asymptotics. A comparison with the characteristic neutrino channel yields the constraints on the axion mass and the energy scale for Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking. Possible astrophysical applications are discussed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 112, 25–31 (July 1997)     

The OPERA experiment

The aim of the OPERA experiment is to provide unambiguous evidence for the ν _μ ↔ ν _τ oscillation by looking at the appearance of ν _τ in a pure ν _μ beam. This oscillation will be sought in the region of the oscillation parameters indicated by the atmospheric neutrino results. The experiment is part of the CNGS (CERN Neutrino beam to Gran Sasso) project. The ν μ beam produced at CERN will be sent towards the Gran Sasso underground laboratory, where the OPERA detector is under construction. The detector, the physics potential, and performance for neutrino oscillation studies including the subleading ν _μ ↔ ν _ε search are presented. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Search for exotic contributions to atmospheric neutrino oscillations

The energy spectrum of neutrino-induced upward-going muons in MACRO has been analyzed in terms of effects of violating relativity principles, keeping standard mass-induced atmospheric neutrino oscillations as the dominant source of ν _μ → ν _τ transitions. The data disfavor these exotic possibilities even at a subdominant level, and stringent 90% C.L. limits are placed on the Lorentz invariance violation parameter |Δυ| < 6 × 10⁻²⁴ at sin(2ϑ_υ) = 0 and |Δυ| < (2.5–5) × 10⁻²⁶ at sin(2ϑ_υ) = ±1. These limits can also be reinterpreted as upper bounds on the parameters describing violation of the equivalence principle. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

About estimations of a one-photon background in neutrino-oscillation experiments at low neutrino energies

The possible sources of one-photon radiation as a background for the quasi-elastic reaction ν _μ + n → μ⁻ + p are considered. They are relevant in experiments on determination of oscillation parameters at low neutrino energies (E _ν ∼ 1 GeV). The estimation for the cross section of the reaction ν _μ + n → μ ⁻ + p + γ is given at E _ν ^lab = 0.7 GeV as 0.65% of the corresponding cross section of quasielastic reaction. The mechanisms of quasi-elastic reaction are also considered at low neutrino energies on a quark level. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

T Violation in Neutrino Oscillation above GUT Scale

We study the Planck scale effects in the neutrino sector on the asymmetry between T-conjugate oscillation probabilities. ΔP _T =P(ν _α →ν _β )−P(ν _β →ν _α ), in a three flavor neutrino mixing. In this paper, we discuss some aspect of T violation effects in three flavor neutrino oscillation.     

Quasi-elastic neutrino-nucleus reactions

The quasi-elastic contribution of the nuclear inclusive electron scattering model developed in [A. Gil, J. Nieves, and E. Oset: Nucl. Phys. A 627 (1997) 543] is extended to the study of electroweak charged current induced nuclear reactions at intermediate energies of interest for future neutrino oscillation experiments. The model accounts for long-range nuclear (RPA) correlations, final state interaction and Coulomb corrections. RPA correlations are shown to play a crucial role in the whole range of neutrino energies, up to 500 MeV, studied in this work. Predictions for inclusive muon capture for different nuclei, and for the reactions ¹²C(ν _μ , μ ₋)X and ¹²C(ν _e, e⁻)X near threshold are also given. Presented by M. Valverde at the Workshop on calculation of double-beta-decay matrix elements (MEDEX’05), Corfu, Greece, September 26–29, 2005.     

A study of quasielastic neutrino interactions ν μ n → μ− p in the NOMAD experiment

In this note, we present preliminary results on the study of the quasielastic reaction ν _μ n → μ⁻ p using the full set of NOMAD neutrino data. We perform a measurement of the total cross section of this process, normalizing to deep-inelastic scattering events selected from the same data sample. The measured cross section is found to be about 20% smaller than the world average of previous bubble chamber experiments. The analysis is still in progress since it is important to estimate the systematic uncertainties. for the NOMAD Collaboration The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

On the possible existence of a neutrino pulsar

If the neutrino has a magnetic moment in the interval 10⁻¹³μ_B < μ _ν < 10⁻¹² μ_B and if a magnetic field of strength about 10¹⁴ G exists in the supernova envelope, the effect of a pulsation of a neutrino signal from a supernova may arise owing to a ν _L → ν _R resonance transition in the envelope magnetic field.     

C2GT: intercepting CERN neutrinos to Gran Sasso in the Gulf of Taranto to measure θ13

Today’s greatest challenge in accelerator-based neutrino physics is to measure the mixing angle θ₁₃ which is known to be much smaller than the solar mixing angle θ₁₂ and the atmospheric mixing angle θ₂₃. A non-zero value of the angle θ₁₃ is a prerequisite for observing CP violation in neutrino mixing. In this paper, we discuss a deep-sea neutrino experiment with 1.5 Mt fiducial target mass in the Gulf of Taranto with the prime objective of measuring θ₁₃. The detector is exposed to the CERN neutrino beam to Gran Sasso in off-axis geometry. Monochromatic muon neutrinos of ≈ 800 MeV energy are the dominant beam component. Neutrinos are detected through quasi-elastic, charged-current reactions in sea water; electrons and muons are detected in a large-surface, ring-imaging Cherenkov detector. The profile of the seabed in the Gulf of Taranto allows for a moveable experiment at variable distances from CERN, starting at 1100 km. From the oscillatory pattern of the disappearance of muon neutrinos, the experiment will measure sin²θ₂₃ and especially Δm² ₂₃ with high precision. The appearance of electron neutrinos will be observed with a sensitivity to P(ν_μ→ν_e) as small as 0.0035 (90% CL) and sin²θ₁₃ as small as 0.0019 (90% CL; for a CP phase angle δ=0° and for normal neutrino mass hierarchy).     

On the flavor composition of the solar <Superscript>7</Superscript>Be neutrino

The flavor composition of the solar beryllium neutrino was analyzed using schemes that include the new (heavy) neutrino (ν₄) at a negligible angle of mixing with the light partners ν _e , ν_μ, and ν_τ.     

Measurements of the absolute branching fractions for D→K̄πe+νe, D→K̄*e+νe and determination of Γ(D+→K̄*0e+νe)/Γ(D+→K̄0e+νe)

Using the data of about 33 pb^-1 collected at and around 3.773 GeV with the BES-II detector at the BEPC collider, we have studied the exclusive semileptonic decays D⁺→K^-π⁺e⁺ν_e, D⁰→K̄⁰π^-e⁺ν_e, D⁺→K̄^*0e⁺ν_e and D⁰→K^*-e⁺ν_e. The absolute branching fractions for the decays are measured to be BF(D⁺→K^-π⁺e⁺ν_e)=(3.50±0.75±0.27)%, BF(D⁰→K̄⁰π^-e⁺ν_e)=(2.61±1.04±0.28)%, BF(D⁺→K̄^*0e⁺ν_e)=(5.06±1.21±0.40)% and BF(D⁰→K^*-e⁺ν_e)=(2.87±1.48±0.39)%. The ratio of the vector to pseudoscalar semileptonic decay rates Γ(D⁺→K̄^*0e⁺ν_e)/Γ(D⁺→K̄⁰e⁺ν_e) is determined to be 0.57±0.17±0.02.     

Dynamics of low-energy nuclear forces for electromagnetic and weak reactions with the deuteron in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model of light nuclei

A dynamics of low-energy nuclear forces is investigated for low-energy electromagnetic and weak nuclear reactions with the deuteron in the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model of light nuclei by example of the neutron-proton radiative capture (M1-capture) n + p → D + γ, the photomagnetic disintegration of the deuteron γ + D → n + p and weak reactions of astrophysical interest. These are the solar proton burning p + p → D + e⁺ + ν _e, the pep-process p + e⁻ + p → D + ν _e and the neutrino and antineutrino disintegration of the deuteron caused by charged ν _e + D → e⁻ + p + p, + D → e⁺ + n + n and neutral ν _e() + D → ν _e() + n + p weak currents.     

Search for D+→φl+ν and measurement of the branching fraction for D+→φπ+

Using a data sample of integrated luminosity of about 33 pb^-1 collected around 3.773 GeV with the BESII detector at the BEPC collider, the semileptonic decays D⁺→φe⁺ν_e, D⁺→φμ⁺ν_μ and the hadronic decay D⁺→φπ⁺ are studied. The upper limits of the branching fractions are set to be BF(D⁺→φe⁺ν_e)<2.01% and BF(D⁺→φμ⁺ν_μ)<2.04% at the 90% confidence level. The ratio of the branching fractions for D⁺→φπ⁺ relative to D⁺→K^-π⁺π⁺ is measured to be 0.057±0.011±0.003. In addition, the branching fraction for D⁺→φπ⁺ is obtained to be (5.2±1.0±0.4)×10^-3.