Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help
T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik
T 20: Neutrinophysik (Theorie)
T 20.3: Talk
Monday, March 28, 2011, 17:15–17:30, 30.23: 3-1
The role of neutrino mass observables in distinguishing neutrino mass models — •James Barry — Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany
Knowledge of the nature of neutrino mass is crucial in making progress in the search for beyond the Standard Model physics. The current literature contains a plethora of models attempting to explain this phenomenon, but since those models generally make similar predictions, one needs a method to distinguish them. Although no single method can provide this discriminating power, the three neutrino mass observables play an important role. These are: the sum of absolute neutrino masses (∑mi), the kinematic electron neutrino mass in beta decay (mβ) and the effective mass for neutrino-less double beta decay (⟨ mee ⟩).
The ∑mi − mβ− ⟨ mee ⟩ parameter space has been studied for two different A4 flavour symmetry models, and for models that contain a sum-rule between light neutrino masses. A simultaneous measurement of two or more observables could in principle be used to rule out certain cases. In addition, a non-standard model for neutrino mass has been analysed, where neutrino mass eigenstates can be either Dirac or Majorana (the bimodal flavour hypothesis). In this case distinct features emerge for ⟨ mee ⟩, so that the model could be excluded by the next generation of double beta decay experiments.