Probing the quantum nature of the neutrino with two-particle interferometry

ORAL

Abstract

One of the primary contemporary problems in neutrino physics is determining if the neutrino is its own antiparticle. That is, is the neutrino a Majorana ($\nu=\bar{\nu}$) or Dirac ($\nu\not=\bar{\nu}$) fermion. Currently, the only experimental approach being used to determine the quantum nature of the neutrino is through neutrinoless double beta decay. In this work, two-particle intensity interferometry, a second-order interference effect, is explored as another possible tool to distinguish between massive Dirac and Majorana neutrinos. A simple theoretical framework is discussed as well as some experimental considerations.

Authors

  • Thomas D. Gutierrez

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

  • Nu Xu

    Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory