[Paper Review] Experimental results and the hypothesis of tachyonic neutrinos

J. Ciborowski, Jakub Rembieliński|ArXiv.org|Jul 31, 1996

Neutrino Physics Research7 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes that electron and muon neutrinos may be tachyons—particles that travel faster than light—based on reinterpretation of experimental data on neutrino mass squared. It calculates beta decay amplitudes for tachyonic neutrinos and suggests their three-body decay could resolve the solar neutrino problem without neutrino oscillations, with testable predictions for future experiments.

ABSTRACT

Recent measurements of the electron and muon neutrino masses squared are interpreted as an indication that neutrinos are faster than light particles -- tachyons. The tritium beta decay amplitude is calculated for the case of the tachyonic electron neutrino. Agreement of the theoretical prediction with the shape of the recently measured electron spectra is discussed. Amplitude for the three body decay of the tachyonic neutrino, $ν_{i} ightarrow ν_{i} ν_{j} \overlineν_{j} $, is calculated. It is shown that this decay may explain the solar neutrino problem without assuming neutrino oscillations. Predictions for short and long baseline experiments are commented. Future experimental activities are suggested.

Motivation & Objective

• Reconcile recent experimental measurements of neutrino mass squared with the hypothesis that neutrinos are tachyons (faster-than-light particles).
• Explain the shape of electron neutrino spectra from tritium beta decay within a tachyonic neutrino framework.
• Propose a three-body decay process for tachyonic neutrinos as an alternative explanation for the solar neutrino problem.
• Provide testable predictions for short- and long-baseline neutrino experiments based on the tachyonic model.
• Suggest future experimental directions to validate or rule out the tachyonic neutrino hypothesis.

Proposed method

• Derive the beta decay amplitude for a tachyonic electron neutrino, modifying standard Fermi theory to accommodate superluminal propagation.
• Apply relativistic field theory techniques to calculate the decay amplitude for the process $\nu_i \rightarrow \nu_i \nu_j \overline{\nu}_j$ in the tachyonic framework.
• Use the calculated decay width to assess the feasibility of this decay as a mechanism for neutrino energy loss in the Sun.
• Compare theoretical predictions of the electron neutrino spectrum shape with recent experimental data from tritium decay.
• Analyze kinematic constraints and phase space for tachyonic three-body decays, ensuring consistency with energy-momentum conservation.
• Predict observable signatures in neutrino detectors for both short- and long-baseline experiments under the tachyonic model.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can the measured shape of the tritium beta decay spectrum be consistently explained by a tachyonic electron neutrino?
• RQ2 Does the three-body decay $\nu_i \rightarrow \nu_i \nu_j \overline{\nu}_j$ provide a viable alternative to neutrino oscillations for resolving the solar neutrino problem?
• RQ3 What are the kinematic and decay rate predictions for tachyonic neutrinos in short- and long-baseline experiments?
• RQ4 How do the theoretical predictions for tachyonic neutrino decay compare with existing experimental limits on neutrino lifetime?
• RQ5 What experimental signatures would distinguish tachyonic neutrinos from standard massive neutrinos in future detectors?

Key findings

• The calculated beta decay amplitude for a tachyonic electron neutrino reproduces the shape of the experimentally observed electron spectrum in tritium decay.
• The three-body decay $\nu_i \rightarrow \nu_i \nu_j \overline{\nu}_j$ is found to be kinematically allowed and could account for the observed deficit of solar neutrinos.
• The decay width for tachyonic neutrinos is non-zero and potentially detectable in future long-baseline experiments.
• The model predicts distinct spectral features in neutrino energy distributions that differ from standard oscillation scenarios.
• The hypothesis is consistent with current experimental data on neutrino mass squared, particularly for electron and muon neutrinos.
• Future experiments are suggested to test the model, especially those sensitive to neutrino decay and superluminal propagation effects.