Cosmic Neutrino Flavor Ratios with Broken $\nu_\mu$--$\nu_\tau$ Symmetry

ORAL

Abstract

Reactor experiments have very recently measured the neutrino mixing angle $\theta_{13}$, the final angle in the trilogy. Reactor neutrino experiments have now observed a nonzero value for $\theta_{13}$ at $\,5\sigma$, and global fits to data imply a nonzero value above $\,10\sigma$. Nonzero values for $\theta_{13}$ and/or $\theta_{32}$-$\frac{\pi}{4}$ break a $\nu_\mu$-$\nu_\tau$ symmetry, which has qualitative as well as quantitative implications for the time-evolution of neutrino flavors. In particular, the large-distance flavor evolution matrix, non-invertible with $\nu_\mu$-$\nu_\tau$ symmetry, is now invertible. This means that measurements of neutrino flavor ratios at Earth can now be inverted to directly reveal the flavor ratios injected at cosmically distant sources. With the updated values of the three neutrino mixing angles, we obtain the inverted large-distance evolution matrix and use it to derive several phenomenological relations between the injection flavor ratios and the observable ratios at Earth. Taking the three popular injection models as examples, we also exhibit the shift of Earthly observed flavor ratios from the corresponding values in the case with $\nu_\mu$-$\nu_\tau$ symmetry.

Authors

  • Lingjun Fu

    Vanderbilt University

  • Chiu Man Ho

    Vanderbilt University

  • Thomas Weiler

    Vanderbilt University