Neutrino oscillations

Definition

Neutrino oscillations are the phenomenon where a neutrino changes its flavor (type) as it propagates through space. This implies that neutrinos have mass and can transform among three types: electron, muon, and tau neutrinos.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neutrino oscillations were first confirmed experimentally by the Super-Kamiokande and Sudbury Neutrino Observatory experiments.
2. The discovery of neutrino oscillations implies that neutrinos have a small but nonzero mass.
3. Neutrino oscillations can be described mathematically using the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (PMNS) matrix.
4. The probability of a neutrino changing its flavor depends on the distance traveled and the energy of the neutrino.
5. Neutrino oscillations solve the solar neutrino problem, which was a discrepancy between the number of electron neutrinos detected from the sun and theoretical predictions.

Review Questions

• What experimental evidence supports the existence of neutrino oscillations?
• Why do neutrino oscillations imply that neutrinos have mass?
• How does the probability of a neutrino changing its flavor depend on distance and energy?

Related terms

Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (PMNS) matrix: A mathematical framework used to describe the mixing of different flavors of neutrinos as they propagate through space.

Solar Neutrino Problem: The historical discrepancy between the observed number of electron neutrinos from the sun and theoretical predictions prior to understanding neutrino oscillations.

Super-Kamiokande: A large water Cherenkov detector located in Japan, instrumental in providing evidence for atmospheric and solar neutrino oscillations.