$\sin{\theta}_{13}$ and neutrino mass matrix with an approximate flavor symmetry

Abstract

For a neutrino mass matrix whose texture has an approximate flavor symmetry and where one has near degenerate neutrino mass, it is shown that the tribimaximal values for atmospheric angle $\sin^{2}{\theta_{23}}=1/2$ and solar angle $\sin^{2}{\theta_{12}}=1/3$ can be maintained even when the reactor angle $\theta_{13}\neq0$. The non zero $\sin\theta_{13}$ implies approximate $\nu_{\mu}\rightarrow-\nu_{\tau}$ symmetry instead of $\nu_{\mu}\rightarrow\nu_{\tau}$ symmetry.