Probing long-range forces between neutrinos with cosmic structures

Journal Article · 20 March 2025 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.111.055019 · OSTI ID:2533592

Kaplan, David E.; Luo, Xuheng ; Rajendran, Surjeet

We study the consequences of new long-range forces between neutrinos on cosmic scales. If these forces are a few orders of magnitude stronger than gravity, they can induce perturbation instability in the nonrelativistic cosmic neutrino background in the late time universe. As a result, the cosmic neutrino background may form nonlinear bound states instead of free-streaming. The implications of the formation of nonlinear neutrino bound states include enhancing matter perturbations and triggering star formation. Based on existing measurements of the matter power spectrum and reionization history, we place new constraints on long-range forces between neutrinos with ranges lying in $1\mathrm{kpc}\lesssim m_{\varphi }^{-1}\lesssim 10\mathrm{Mpc}$ . Published by the American Physical Society 2025

• Research Organization: Johns Hopkins U.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy; USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: 89243024CSC000002; AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 2533592
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-PUB-24-0977-SQMS-V; 055019
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 111; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 2470-0010
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English