Do experiments and astrophysical considerations suggest an inverted neutrino mass hierarchy?

Journal Article · Sat Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Physical Review, D

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.52.1288· OSTI ID:69569

Fuller, G M ^[1]; Primack, J R ^[2]; Qian, Y ^[3]

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1. Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0319 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064 (United States)
3. Institute for Nuclear Theory, NK-12, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 (United States)

The recent results from the Los Alamos neutrino oscillation experiment, together with assumptions of neutrino oscillation solutions for the solar and atmospheric neutrino deficit problems, may place powerful constraints on any putative scheme for neutrino masses and mixings. Assuming the validity of these experiments and assumptions, we argue that a nearly unique spectrum of neutrino masses emerges as a fit, if two additional astrophysical arguments are adopted: (1) the sum of the light neutrino masses is {similar_to}5 eV, as large scale structure simulations with mixed cold plus hot dark matter seem to suggest; and (2) {ital r}-process nucleosynthesis originates in neutrino-heated ejecta from type II supernovae. In this fit, the masses of the neutrinos must satisfy {ital m}{sub {nu}{ital e}}{approx}{ital m}{sub {nu}{ital s}}{approx}2.7 eV (where {nu}{sub {ital e}} is split from a sterile species {nu}{sub {ital s}} by {similar_to}10{sup {minus}6} eV) and {ital m}{sub {nu}{tau}}{approx}{ital m}{sub {nu}{mu}}{approx}1.1 eV (where these species are split by {similar_to}10{sup {minus}2} eV). We discuss alternative neutrino mass spectra that are allowed if we decline to adopt certain experiments or astrophysical models.

• Research Organization: University of Washington
• DOE Contract Number: FG06-90ER40561
• OSTI ID: 69569
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D, Journal Name: Physical Review, D Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 52; ISSN 0556-2821; ISSN PRVDAQ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
MASS
MASS SPECTRA
MIXING
NEUTRINO OSCILLATION
NEUTRINOS
SIMULATION