Massive neutrinos and neutrino oscillations

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Rev. Mod. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.59.671· OSTI ID:6013648

Bilenky, S M; Petcov, S T

The theory of neutrino mixing and neutrino oscillations, as well as the properties of massive neutrinos (Dirac and Majorana), are reviewed. More specifically, the following topics are discussed in detail: (i) the possible types of neutrino mass terms; (ii) oscillations of neutrinos (iii) the implications of CP invariance for the mixing and oscillations of neutrinos in vacuum; (iv) possible varieties of massive neutrinos (Dirac, Majorana, pseudo-Dirac); (v) the physical differences between massive Dirac and massive Majorana neutrinos and the possibilities of distinguishing experimentally between them; (vi) the electromagnetic properties of massive neutrinos. Some of the proposed mechanisms of neutrino mass generation in gauge theories of the electroweak interaction and in grand unified theories are also discussed. The lepton number nonconserving processes ..mu -->..e..gamma.. and ..mu -->..3e in theories with massive neutrinos are considered. The basic elements of the theory of neutrinoless double-..beta.. decay are discussed as well. Finally, the existing data on neutrino masses, oscillations of neutrinos, and neutrinoless double-..beta.. decay are briefly reviewed. The main emphasis in the review is on the general model-independent results of the theory. Detailed derivations of these are presented.

• Research Organization: Joint Institute of Nuclear Research, Dubna, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
• OSTI ID: 6013648
• Journal Information: Rev. Mod. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Mod. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 59:3; ISSN RMPHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645203* -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Interactions & Properties-Theoretical-- Weak Interactions & Properties
645300 -- High Energy Physics-- Particle Invariance Principles & Symmetries
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
BETA DECAY
BETA-MINUS DECAY
CP INVARIANCE
DECAY
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOUBLE BETA DECAY
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
FIELD THEORIES
GAUGE INVARIANCE
GRAND UNIFIED THEORY
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
LEPTON NUMBER
LEPTONS
MASS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MUONS
NEUTRINO OSCILLATION
NEUTRINOS
PARTICLE MODELS
REVIEWS
UNIFIED GAUGE MODELS
UNIFIED-FIELD THEORIES