Solar-neutrino variations: A manifestation of nonzero neutrino mass and magnetic moment, and mixing

Time variations of solar neutrino flux are investigated on the basis of available Homestake experimental data for more than two solar cycles (1970–1994). At first, we determine (with the weight-time function by taking into account ³⁷Ar decay), for each solar neutrino run n, the effective Earth’s heliolatitude L _eff(n), the effective Zurich sunspots number Z _eff(n), the effective latitude of sunspots distribution Λ_eff(n), and the effective surfaces of sunspots in different heliolatitude belts. Then, we consider the correlation of solar-electron-neutrino fluxes with these parameters for different periods of solar activity. It is found that correlation coefficients change sign in different periods of solar activity, so that for total period 1970–1994 the correlation coefficient is very small. The obtained information indicates that a neutrino should have nonzero mass and nonzero magnetic moment.     

Cherenkov effect in the weak interactions generated by the neutrinos and new approach for estimation of neutrino mass

It is shown that if weak interactions can generate masses and polarize matter, then the Cherenkov effect induced by these interactions at v _v > c/n appears. The effect of (resonance) enhancement of neutrino oscillations in matter (v _v < c/n) and the Cherenkov (v _v > c/n) effect are competitive processes and at definite neutrino energies the effect of (resonance) enhancement of neutrino oscillations in matter will change to the Cherenkov effect. Then neutrino vacuum oscillations will regenerate and we obtain an excellent possibility of estimating neutrino masses. And knowing estimation of mass for one (electron) neutrino we can obtain masses of the rest neutrinos by using the values for mass differences for neutrinos obtained in oscillation experiments.     

Global and heliolatitude indices of solar activity and cosmic ray modulation

The time variation of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) (1958–2006) is described using solar activity indices in the form Z^α, Z^α exp[?(φ/φ₀)^β], where Z and φ are one of the solar activity indices and the heliolatitude of sunspots; α, β, and φ₀ are the optimum parameters found by the least-squares method. The time variation of the GCR flux is satisfactorily described, the role of the active region heliolatitude in the index in relation to the cosmic ray modulation is revealed.     

Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment using 1496 days of Super-Kamiokande-I solar neutrino data

A search for a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment has been conducted using 1496 live days of solar neutrino data from Super-Kamiokande-I. Specifically, we searched for distortions to the energy spectrum of recoil electrons arising from magnetic scattering due to a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment. In the absence of a clear signal, we found micro(nu)相似文献   

An effective lower bound of the solar neutrino flux

If the deficit of the solar neutrino (ν_e) flux is caused by the neutrino oscillation, there exists a lower bound of an effective neutrino flux detectable by electron scattering experiment, since the converted neutrino can also interact with atomic electron via neutral current effect. The effective reduction factor and day-night asymmetry for the ⁸B flux is calculated and plotted in the mixing parameter space, when matter oscillation effects both in the sun and in the earth are included, yielding a lower flux bound, ∼ 14% of the standard value.     

On the axial-vector coupling constant and the solar neutrino problem

The influence of the value of g_A on the solar neutrino flux is discussed. It is shown that a more precise determination of g_A would be important to define the actual extent of the solar neutrino problem.     

Master index volumes A261–A270

While the meson-exchange electromagnetic current has been tested with an impressive success in the two-nucleon system, nothing much is known about the reliability of the exchange currents in weak interactions. We study this question using muon absorption in the deuteron, μ^? + d → n + n + ν. The meson-exchange current, previously derived in parallel to those of the electromagnetic interaction, is checked for consistency against the p-wave piece of the p + p → d + π⁺ process near threshold and then tested with the total capture rate for which some (though not so accurate) data are available. We then use the same Hamiltonian to calculate the matrix elements for the solar neutrino processes p + p → d + e⁺ν and p + p + e^? → d + ν in the hope that they would be measured and help resolve the solar neutrino puzzle. Finally we make a detailed analysis of the differential capture rate dΓ/dE_n, E_n being the kinetic energy in the c.m. of the two neutrons, in the expectation that it will be used to pin down the ever elusive n-n scattering length.     

The effect of random matter density perturbations on the MSW solution to the solar neutrino problem

We consider the implications of solar matter density random noise upon resonant neutrino conversion. The evolution equation describing MSW-like conversion is derived in the framework of the Schrödinger approach. We study quantitatively the effect of such matter perturbations upon both large and small mixing angle MSW solutions to the solar neutrino problem. This is carried out both for the active-active v_e → v_μ,τ as well as active-sterile v_e → v_s conversion channels. We find that the small mixing MSW solution is much more stable (especially in Δm² than the large mixing solution. The possible existence of solar matter density noise at the few percent level could be tested at future solar neutrino experiments, especially Borexino.     

MHD origin of density fluctuations deep within the Sun and their influence on neutrino oscillation parameters in LMA MSW scenario

We analyze helioseismic waves near the solar equator in the presence of magnetic fields deep within the solar radiative zone. We find that reasonable magnetic fields can significantly alter the shapes of the wave profiles for helioseismic g modes. They can do so because the existence of density gradients allows g modes to resonantly excite Alfvén waves, causing mode energy to be funneled along magnetic field lines, away from the solar equatorial plane. The resulting waveforms show comparatively sharp spikes in the density profiles at radii where these resonances take place. Such matter density waves with known spatial structure are substituted as a matter density noise into the 2×2 Schrödinger equation for ν _e,π neutrinos oscillating within the Sun. Then we reexamine the sensitivity of solar neutrino oscillations to noise in the solar interior using the best current estimates of neutrino properties. Our results show that the measurement of neutrino properties at KamLAND provides new information about fluctuations in the solar environment on scales to which standard helioseismology constraints are largely insensitive. We also show how the determination of neutrino oscillation parameters from a combined fit of KamLAND and solar data depends strongly on the magnitude of solar density fluctuations.     

Neutrino physics at the turn of the millennium

I discuss the implications of the latest data on solar and atmospheric neutrinos which strongly indicate the need for physics beyond the Standard Model. I review the theoretical options for reconciling these data in terms of three-neutrino oscillations. Even though not implied by the data, bimaximal models of neutrino mixing emerge as an attractive possibility. Supersymmetry with broken R-parity provides a predictive way to incorporate it, opening the possibility of testing neutrino anomalies at high-energy collider experiments such as the LHC or at the upcoming long-baseline or neutrino factory experiments. Reconciling, in addition, the hint provided by the LSND experiment requires a fourth, light sterile, neutrino. The simplest theoretical scenarios are the most symmetric ones, in which two of the four neutrinos are maximally mixed and lie at the LSND scale, while the others are at the solar mass scale. The lightness of the sterile neutrino, the nearly maximal atmospheric neutrino mixing, and the generation of Δm _⊙ ² &; Δm _atm ² all follow naturally from the assumed lepton-number symmetry and its breaking. These two basic schemes can be distinguished at neutral-current-sensitive solar &; atmospheric neutrino experiments such as the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. However, underground experiments have not yet proven neutrino masses, since there is a variety of alternative mechanisms. For example, flavor changing interactions can play an important role in the explanation of solar and of contained atmospheric data and could be tested through effects such as μ → e+γ, μ-e conversion in nuclei, unaccompanied by neutrino-less double beta decay. Conversely, the room is still open for heavy unstable neutrinos. A short-lived ν_μ might play a role in the explanation of the atmospheric data. Finally, in the presence of a sterile neutrino v_s, a long-lived ν_τ in the MeV range could delay the time at which the matter and radiation contributions to the energy density of the Universe become equal, reducing the density fluctuations on the smaller scales and rescuing the standard cold-dark-matter scenario for structure formation. In this case, the light v_e ν_μ, and v_s would account for the solar and atmospheric data.     

Neutrino Oscillation Phase Shift from Quantum Gravity

The phase shift of neutrino oscillation could be discussed in the frame work of quantum gravity. Quantum gravity (Planck scale effects) leads to an effective SU(2) _L ×U(1) invariant dimension-5 Lagrangian involving, neutrino and Higgs fields. On symmetry breaking, this operator gives rise to correction to the neutrino masses and mixing. We compute the neutrino oscillation phase due to Planck scale effects. The gravitational interaction (M _X =M _pl ) demands that the element of this perturbation matrix should be independent of flavor indices. In this paper, we study the quantum gravity effects on neutrino oscillation phases, namely modified dispersion relation for neutrino oscillation phases.     

Quantum Gravity on Neutrino Oscillation Length

The oscillation length of neutrino oscillation could be discussed in the frame work of quantum gravity. Quantum gravity (Planck scale effects) leads to an effective SU(2) _L ×U(1) invariant dimension-5 Lagrangian involving, neutrino and Higgs fields. On symmetry breaking, this operator gives rise to correction to the neutrino masses and mixing. We compute the neutrino oscillation length due to Planck scale effects. The gravitational interaction (M _X =M _pl ) demands that the element of this perturbation matrix should be independent of flavor indices. In this paper, we study the quantum gravity effects on neutrino oscillation length, namely modified dispersion relation for neutrino oscillation phases.     

Quantum Gravity Effect on Neutrino Oscillation

The quantum gravity may have strong consequence for neutrino oscillation phenemomenon over a large distance.We found a significant modification of neutrino oscillation due to quantum gravity effects. Quantum gravity (Planck scale effects) leads to an effective S U(2) _L ×U(1) invariant dimension-5 Lagrangian involving, neutrino and Higgs fields. On symmetry breaking, this operator gives rise to correction to the neutrino masses and mixing. The gravitational interaction (M _X =M _{p l} ) demands that the element of this perturbation matrix should be independent of flavor indices. In this paper, we study the quantum gravity effects on neutrino oscillation, namely modified dispersion relation for neutrino oscillations parameter.     

Oscillations of three generations of neutrinos and the solar neutrino problem

The resonant neutrino oscillations in matter are assumed to be responsible for the observed reduction in the capture rate for the ³⁷Cl detector. The expression of the probability that a solar v_e reaches the Earth as a v_e is given in the case of three generations. In the small mixing angle approximation, we describe all the regions of neutrino parameters which give rise to a capture rate of 2.1 SNU for ³⁷Cl and we give the corresponding prediction for the ⁷¹Ga detector.     

Global analysis of solar and atmospheric neutrino data

A global analysis of solar (including the recent SNO result), atmospheric, and reactor neutrino data is presented in terms of three-and four-neutrino oscillations. We first present the allowed regions of solar and atmospheric oscillation parameters assuming three-neutrino families, showing that in this framework it is possible to reconcile the two anomalies and providing an unified fit of all the observables at a time. Then, we consider scenarios where a sterile neutrino is added to the three standard ones and the mass spectra present two separate doublets. We evaluate the allowed active-sterile admixture in both solar and atmospheric oscillations, showing that, although the Super-Kamiokande data disfavor both the pure ν_μ→ν _s atmospheric channel and, in combination with SNO, the pure ν _e →ν _s solar channel, the result from the combined analysis still favors close-to-pure active and sterile oscillations and disfavors oscillations into a near-maximal active-sterile admixture.     

Mass of tau neutrino in SO(10) GUTs

We investigate the allowed ranges of masses for an unstable tau neutrino in the context of SO(10) GUTs. In light of the new nucleosynthesis results we obtain that there is a narrow window for m_ντ where the LEP, neutrino oscillation and nucleosynthesis data are compatible. This window, which depends on the effective number of neutrinos contributing to nucleosynthesis, has important cosmological consequences and will be tested by ongoing neutrino oscillation and LEP II experiments.     

Neutrino masses and flavor mixing in the Extended Double Seesaw Model with two texture zeros

We study the light neutrino mass matrix in the Extended Double Seesaw Model (EDSM), and as a result we get its general form. Also we demonstrate that conventional type-I and double seesaw mechanisms can be regarded as two special cases. We analyze the structure of the 9×9 neutrino mass matrix in this scenario, and surprisingly we find that EDSM will degenerate to a conventional type-I seesaw mechanism when \(M_{\mathrm{R}}= M_{\mathrm{S}}M_{\mu}^{-1}M_{\mathrm{S}}^{T}\) holds exactly. Considering two simple ansätze in two texture zeros for its 3×3 submatrices, we calculate the neutrino masses and flavor mixing angles, in which the θ ₁₃ is a nonzero large angle.     

Neutrino properties from maximally-predictive GUT models and the structure of the heavy Majorana sector

Starting from a complete set of possible parametrisations of the quark-mass matrices that have the maximum number of texture zeros at the grand unification scale, and the Georgi-Jarlskog mass relations, we classify the neutrino spectra with respect to the unknown structure of the heavy Majorana sector. The results can be casted into a small number of phenomenologically distinct classes of neutrino spectra, characterised by universal mass-hierarchy and oscillation patterns. One finds that the neutrino masses reflect the natural hierarchy among the three generations and obey the quadratic seesaw, for most GUT models that contain a rather “unsophisticated” Majorana sector. A scenario withv _τ as the missing hot dark matter component andv _e ?v _µ oscillations accounting for the solar neutrino deficit comes naturally out of this type of models and is very close to the experimental limit of confirmation or exclusion. In contrast, in the presence of a strong hierarchy of heavy scales or/and some extra symmetries in the Majorana mass matrix, this natural hierarchy gets distorted or even reversed. This fact can become a link between searches for neutrino oscillations and searches for discrete symmetries close to the Planck scale.     

Recoil effect in the β decay of molecular tritium

In order to determine the electron (anti)neutrino mass m _ν, a number of precise atomic experiments with gaseous and frozen targets of molecular tritium T₂ have been carried out in the last decade. The nonzero neutrino mass should be manifested in the form of fine features near the upper edge of the β-electron spectrum. The problem of calculating the spectrum of final excitations, which is of crucial importance for determining m _ν, is discussed. An operator approach has been used for an analysis of spectral sums. This allows a number of effects that could not be considered earlier to be discussed, including the recoil effect, which can be of substantial importance in the interpretation of the current and future experiments.     

Futurev τ oscillation experiments and present data

Our goal in this paper is to examine the discovery covery potential of laboratory experiments searching for the oscillationv _μ(ν _e)→v _τ, in the light of recent data on solar and atmospheric neutrino experiments, which we analyse together with the most restrictive results from laboratory experiments on neutrino oscillations. In order to explain simultaneouslyall present results we use a four-neutrino framework, with an additional sterile neutrino. Our predictions are rather pessimistic for the upcoming experiments NOMAD and CHORUS, which, we find, are able to explore only a small area of the oscillation parameter space. On the other hand, the discovery potential of future experiments is much larger. We consider three examples. E803, which is approved to operate in the future Fermilab main injector beam line, MINOS, a proposed long-baseline experiment also using the Fermilab beam, and NAUSICAA, an improved detector which improves by an order of magnitude the performance of CHORUS/NOMAD and can be operated either at CERN or at Fermilab beams. We find that those experiments can cover a very substantial fraction of the oscillation parameter space, having thus a very good chance of discoveringboth v _μ→v _τ andν _e→v _τ oscillation modes.