Neutrino capture on tritium as a probe of flavor vacuum condensate and dark matter
Antonio Capolupo, Aniello Quaranta
Abstract
We show that the study of neutrino capture on tritium, for non-relativistic neutrinos, can allow to distinguish among the various neutrino models, eventually prove the quantum field theory condensation effects and permit to test the hypothesis according to which the flavor vacuum energy gives a contribution to the dark matter of the universe. Indeed, we show that the capture rate depends on the neutrino model considered, and that it brings an imprint of the flavor vacuum condensate. Experiments like PTOLEMY, designed to reveal the cosmic neutrino background, then can give an indication of the existence of the dark matter component induced by neutrino mixing.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsNeutrinoParticle physicsCosmic neutrino backgroundDark matterNeutrino oscillationHot dark matterMeasurements of neutrino speedFlavorNuclear physicsDark energySolar neutrinoAstrophysicsCosmologyMedicinePathologyNeutrino Physics ResearchDark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaParticle physics theoretical and experimental studies