arXiv subjects

A. Yu. Smirnov

Publications and source records attributed to A. Yu. Smirnov.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Statistics of neutrinos and the double beta decay

We assume that the Pauli exclusion principle is violated for neutrinos, and thus, neutrinos obey at least partly the Bose-Einstein statistics. The parameter sin^2 chi is introduced that characterizes the bosonic (symmetric) fraction of the neutrino wave function. Consequences of the violation of the exclusion principle for the two-neutrino double beta decays are considered. This violation strongly changes the rates of the decays and modifies the energy and angular distributions of the emitted electrons. Pure bosonic neutrinos are excluded by the present data. In the case of partly bosonic (or mixed-statistics) neutrinos the analysis of the existing data allows to put the conservative upper bound sin^2 chi < 0.6. The sensitivity of future measurements of the two-neutrino double beta decay to sin^2 chi is evaluated.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Adiabatic quantum computation with flux qubits, first experimental results

Controllable adiabatic evolution of a multi-qubit system can be used for adiabatic quantum computation (AQC). This evolution ends at a configuration where the Hamiltonian of the system encodes the solution of the problem to be solved. As a first steps towards realization of AQC we have investigated two, three and four flux qubit systems. These systems were characterized by making use of a radio-frequency method. We designed two-qubit systems with coupling energies up to several kelvins. For the three-flux-qubit systems we determined the complete ground-state flux diagram in the three dimensional flux space around the qubits common degeneracy point. We show that the system`s Hamiltonian can be completely reconstructed from our measurements. Our concept for the implementation of AQC, by making use of flux qubits, is discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Recent Developments in Neutrino Phenomenology

The first phase of studies of the neutrino mass and mixing is essentially over. The outcome is the discovery of non-zero neutrino mass and determination of the dominant structure of the lepton mixing matrix. In some sense this phase was very simple, and nature was very collaborative with us: Two main effects - the vacuum oscillations and the adiabatic conversion in matter (the MSW-effect) - provide complete interpretation of the experimental results. Furthermore, with the present accuracy of measurements the $3ν-$mixing analysis is essentially reduced to the $2ν$ consideration. I will present a concise and comprehensive description of this first phase. The topics include: (i) the concept of neutrino mixing in vacuum and matter; (ii) physics of the oscillations and adiabatic conversion; (iii) the experimental evidences of the flavor transformations and determination of the oscillation parameters. Some implications of the obtained results are discussed. Comments are given on the next phase of the field that will be much more involved.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Leptonic CP violation: zero, maximal or between the two extremes

Discovery of the CP-violation in the lepton sector is one of the challenges of the particle physics. We search for possible principles, symmetries and phenomenological relations that can lead to particular values of the CP-violating Dirac phase, $δ$. In this connection we discuss two extreme cases: the zero phase, $δ= 0$, and the maximal CP-violation, $δ= \pm π/2$, and relate them to the peculiar pattern of the neutrino mixing. The maximal CP-violation can be related to the $ν_μ- ν_τ$ reflection symmetry. We study various aspects of this symmetry and introduce a generalized reflection symmetry that can lead to an arbitrary phase that depends on the parameter of the symmetry transformation. The generalized reflection symmetry predicts a simple relation between the Dirac and Majorana phases. We also consider the possibility of certain relations between the CP-violating phases in the quark and lepton sectors.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Neutrino oscillations: what is magic about the "magic" baseline?

Physics interpretation of the ``magic'' baseline, $L_{magic}$, that can play important role in future oscillation experiments is given. The ``magic'' baseline coincides with the refraction length, $l_0$. The latter, in turn, approximately equals the oscillation length in matter at high energies. Therefore at the baseline $L = l_0$ the oscillation phase is $2π$, and consequently, the ``solar'' amplitude of oscillations driven by $θ_{12}$ and $Δm^2_{21}$ vanishes. As a result, in the lowest order (i) the interference of amplitudes in the $ν_e - ν_μ$ $(ν_τ)$ transition probability is absent; (ii) dependence of the probability on the CP-phase, $δ$, as well as on $θ_{12}$ and $Δm^2_{21}$ disappears. Corrections to the equality $L_{magic} = l_0$ are estimated. Effect of changing density is considered and two new magic trajectories are identified for neutrinos that cross the core of the Earth. Other magic baselines associated with zeros of the atmospheric amplitude are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Neutrino masses and mixing: Leptons versus Quarks

Comparison of properties of quark and leptons as well as understanding their similarities and differences is one of the milestones on the way to underlying physics. Several observations, if not accidental, can strongly affect the implications: (i) nearly tri-bimaximal character of lepton mixing, (ii) special neutrino symmetries, (iii) the QLC-relations. We consider possible connections between quarks and leptons which include the quark-lepton symmetry and unification, approximate universality, and quark-lepton complementarity. Presence of new neutrino states and their mixing with the left or/and right handed neutrinos can be the origin of additional differences of quarks and leptons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

A characterization of global entanglement

We define a set of $2^{n-1}-1$ entanglement monotones for $n$ qubits and give a single measure of entanglement in terms of these. This measure is zero except on globally entangled (fully inseparable) states. This measure is compared to the Meyer-Wallach measure for two, three, and four qubits. We determine the four-qubit state, symmetric under exchange of qubit labels, which maximizes this measure. It is also shown how the elementary monotones may be computed as a function of observable quantities. We compute the magnitude of our measure for the ground state of the four-qubit superconducting experimental system investigated in [M. Grajcar et al., Phys. Rev. Lett._96_, 047006 (2006)], and thus confirm the presence of global entanglement in the ground state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Four-qubit device with mixed couplings

We present the first experimental results on a device with more than two superconducting qubits. The circuit consists of four three-junction flux qubits, with simultaneous ferro- and antiferromagnetic coupling implemented using shared Josephson junctions. Its response, which is dominated by the ground state, is characterized using low-frequency impedance measurement with a superconducting tank circuit coupled to the qubits. The results are found to be in excellent agreement with the quantum-mechanical predictions.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2005

Quark-Lepton universality and large leptonic mixing

A unified description of fermionic mixing is proposed which assumes that in certain basis ($i$) a single complex unitary matrix $V$ diagonalizes mass matrices of all fermions to the leading order, ($ii$) the SU(5) relation $M_d=M_l^T$ exists between the mass matrices of the down quarks and the charged leptons, and ($iii$) $M_d^\dagger=M_d$. These assumptions automatically lead to different mixing patterns for quarks and leptons: quarks remain unmixed to leading order ($i. e. V_{CKM}=1$) while leptons have non-trivial mixing given by a symmetric unitary matrix $V^0_{PMNS} = V^T V$. $V$ depends on two physical mixing angles and for values of these angles $\sim 20^\circ-25 ^\circ$ it reproduces the observed mixing patterns rather well. We identify conditions under which the universal mixing $V$ follows from the universal mass matrices of fermions. Relatively small perturbations to the leading order structure lead to the CKM mixing and corrections to $V^0_{PMNS}$. We find that if the correction matrix equals the CKM matrix, the resulting lepton mixing agrees well with data and predicts $\sin θ_{13} > 0.08$. In a more general context, the assumption of partial universality ($i.e.$, different mixing for the up and the down components of doublets) is shown to lead to a complementarity relation $V_{PMNS}V_{CKM}=V^TV$ in the lowest order.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Oscillations of high energy neutrinos in matter: Precise formalism and parametric resonance

We present a formalism for precise description of oscillation phenomena in matter at high energies or high densities, V > Δm^2/2E, where V is the matter-induced potential of neutrinos. The accuracy of the approximation is determined by the quantity \sin^2 2θ_m ΔV/2πV, where θ_m is the mixing angle in matter and ΔV is a typical change of the potential over the oscillation length (l \sim 2π/V). We derive simple and physically transparent formulas for the oscillation probabilities, which are valid for arbitrary matter density profiles. They can be applied to oscillations of high energy (E > 10 GeV) accelerator, atmospheric and cosmic neutrinos in the matter of the Earth, substantially simplifying numerical calculations and providing an insight into the physics of neutrino oscillations in matter. The effect of parametric enhancement of the oscillations of high energy neutrinos is considered. Future high statistics experiments can provide an unambiguous evidence for this effect.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2005

Neutrino statistics and big bang nucleosynthesis

Neutrinos may possibly violate the spin-statistics theorem, and hence obey Bose statistics or mixed statistics despite having spin half. We find the generalized equilibrium distribution function of neutrinos which depends on a single fermi-bose parameter, κ, and interpolates continuously between the bosonic and fermionic distributions when κchanges from -1 to +1. We consider modification of the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) in the presence of bosonic or partly bosonic neutrinos. For pure bosonic neutrinos the abundances change (in comparison with the usual Fermi-Dirac case) by -3.2% for 4He (which is equivalent to a decrease of the effective number of neutrinos by ΔN_ν= - 0.6), +2.6% for 2H and -7% for 7Li. These changes provide a better fit to the BBN data. Future BBN studies will be able to constrain the fermi-bose parameter to κ> 0.5, if no deviation from fermionic nature of neutrinos is found. We also evaluate the sensitivity of future CMB and LSS observations to the fermi-bose parameter.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Possible violation of the spin-statistics relation for neutrinos: cosmological and astrophysical consequences

We assume that the Pauli exclusion principle is violated for neutrinos, and consequently, neutrinos obey the Bose-Einstein statistics. Cosmological and astrophysical consequences of this assumption are considered. Neutrinos may form cosmological Bose condensate which accounts for all (or a part of) the dark matter in the universe. ``Wrong'' statistics of neutrinos could modify big bang nucleosynthesis, leading to the effective number of neutrino species smaller than three. Dynamics of the supernova collapse would be influenced and spectra of the supernova neutrinos may change. The presence of neutrino condensate would enhance contributions of the Z-bursts to the flux of the UHE cosmic rays and lead to substantial refraction effects for neutrinos from remote sources. The Pauli principle violation for neutrinos can be tested in the two-neutrino double beta decay.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

The MSW effect and Matter Effects in Neutrino Oscillations

The MSW (Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein) effect is the adiabatic or partially adiabatic neutrino flavor conversion in medium with varying density. The main notions related to the effect, its dynamics and physical picture are reviewed. The large mixing MSW effect is realized inside the Sun providing the solution of the solar neutrino problem. The small mixing MSW effect driven by the 1-3 mixing can be realized for the supernova (SN) neutrinos. Inside the collapsing stars new elements of the MSW dynamics may show up: the non-oscillatory transition, non-adiabatic conversion, time dependent adiabaticity violation induced by shock waves. Effects of the resonance enhancement and the parametric enhancement of oscillations can be realized for the atmospheric and accelerator neutrinos in the Earth. Precise results for neutrino oscillations in the low density medium with arbitrary density profile are presented and the attenuation effect is described. The area of applications is the solar and SN neutrinos inside the Earth, and the results are crucial for the neutrino oscillation tomography.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

A precise analytical description of the Earth matter effect on oscillations of low energy neutrinos

We present a formalism for the matter effects in the Earth on low energy neutrino fluxes which is both accurate and has all advantages of a full analytic treatment. The oscillation probabilities are calculated up to second order term in $ε(x) \equiv 2V(x)E/Δm^2$ where $V(x)$ is the neutrino potential at position $x$. We show the absence of large undamped phases which makes the expansion in $ε$ well behaved. An improved expansion is presented in terms of the variation of $V(x)$ around a suitable mean value which allows to treat energies up to those relevant for Supernova neutrinos. We discuss also the case of three-neutrino mixing.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Toward precision measurements in solar neutrinos

Solar neutrino physics enters a stage of precision measurements. In this connection we present a precise analytic description of the neutrino conversion in the context of LMA MSW solution of the solar neutrino problem. Using the adiabatic perturbation theory we derive an analytic formula for the $ν_e$ survival probability which takes into account the non-adiabatic corrections and the regeneration effect inside the Earth. The probability is averaged over the neutrino production region. We find that the non-adiabatic corrections are of the order $10^{-9}-10^{-7}$. Using the formula for the Earth regeneration effect we discuss features of the zenith angle dependence of the $ν_e$ flux. In particular, we show that effects of small structures at the surface of the Earth can be important.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Neutrino masses and mixing: Singular mass matrices and Quark-lepton symmetry

We suggest an approach to explain the observed pattern of the neutrino masses and mixing which employs the weakly broken quark-lepton symmetry and does not require introduction of an ad hoc symmetry of the neutrino sector. The mass matrices are nearly equal for all quarks and leptons. They have very small determinants and hierarchical form with expansion parameter lambda = 0.26. The latter can be realized, e.g., in the model with U(1) family symmetry. The symmetry is broken at the lambda^2 level. Large lepton mixing appears as a result of summation of the neutrino and charged lepton rotations which diagonalize the mass matrices in contrast with quark sector where the up quarks and down quarks rotations cancel each other. We show that the flip of the sign of rotation in the lepton sector is a result of the seesaw mechanism which also enhances the neutrino mixing. In this approach one expects, in general, deviation of the 2-3 mixing from maximal, s_{13} \sim (1-3) lambda^2, hierarchical neutrino mass spectrum, and m_{ee} < 10^{-2} eV. The scenario is consistent with the thermal leptogenesis and (in SUSY context) bounds on lepton number violating processes, like mu to e gamma.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Measuring the deviation of the 2-3 lepton mixing from maximal with atmospheric neutrinos

The measurement of the deviation of the 2-3 leptonic mixing from maximal, D_23 = 1/2 - sin^2(theta_23), is one of the key issues for understanding the origin of the neutrino masses and mixing. In the three-neutrino context we study the dependence of various observables in the atmospheric neutrinos on D_23. We perform a global three-neutrino analysis of the atmospheric and reactor neutrino data taking into account the effects of both the oscillations driven by the "solar" parameters (Delta_m_21^2 and theta_12) and the 1-3 mixing. The departure from the one-dominant mass scale approximation results into the shift of the 2-3 mixing from maximal by Delta_sin^2(theta_23) ~ 0.04, so that D_23 ~ 0.04 +- 0.07 (1 sigma). Though value of the shift is not statistically significant, the tendency is robust. The shift is induced by the excess of the e-like events in the sub-GeV sample. We show that future large scale water Cherenkov detectors can determine D_23 with accuracy of a few percent, comparable with the sensitivity of future long baseline experiments. Moreover, the atmospheric neutrinos will provide unique information on the sign of the deviation (octant of theta_23).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Optically induced spin polarization of an electric current through a quantum dot

We examine electron transport through semiconductor quantum dot subject to a continuous circularly polarized optical irradiation resonant to the electron - heavy hole transition. Electrons having certain spin polarization experience Rabi oscillation and their energy levels are shifted by the Rabi frequency. Correspondingly, the equilibrium chemical potential of the leads and the lead-to-lead bias voltage can be adjusted so only electrons with spin-up polarization or only electrons with spin-down polarization contribute to the current. The temperature dependence of the spin polarization of the current is also discussed.

cond-mat.other↗