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A. Yu. Smirnov

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

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Neutrino mass matrix: inverted hierarchy and CP violation

We reconstruct the neutrino mass matrix in flavor basis, in the case of inverted mass hierarchy (ordering), using all available experimental data on neutrino masses and oscillations. We analyze the dependence of the matrix elements m_{alpha beta} on the CP violating Dirac, delta, and Majorana, rho and sigma, phases, for different values of the absolute mass scale. We find that the present data admit various structures of the mass matrix: (i) hierarchical structures with a set of small (zero) elements; (ii) structures with equalities among various groups of elements: e-row and/or mu tau-block elements, diagonal and/or off-diagonal elements; (iii) ``democratic'' structure. We find values of phases for which these structures are realized. The mass matrix elements can anti-correlate with flavor: inverted partial or complete flavor alignment is possible. For various structures of the mass matrix we identify possible underlying symmetry. We find that the mass matrix can be reconstructed completely only in particular cases, provided that the absolute scale of the mass is measured. Generally, the freedom related to the Majorana phase sigma will not be removed, thus admitting various types of mass matrix.

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Searches for sterile component with solar neutrinos and KamLAND

Possible mixing of the active and sterile neutrinos has been considered both in the single Delta m^2 approximation and in the case of more than one Delta m^2. We perform global fit of the available solar neutrino data with free boron neutrino flux in the single Delta m^2 context. The best fit value corresponds to zero fraction of sterile component eta=0. We get the upper bounds: eta<0.26 (0.64) at 1σ(3 sigma). Due to degeneracy of parameters no one individual experiment restricts eta. The bound appears as an interplay of the SNO and Gallium as well as SuperKamiokande data. Future measurements of the NC/CC ratio at SNO can strengthen the bound down to eta<0.5 (3 sigma). If KamLAND confirms the LMA solution with its best fit point a combined analysis of the KamLAND and solar neutrino results will lead to eta<0.19 (0.56) at 1 sigma (3 sigma). We find that existence of sterile neutrino can explain the intermediate value of suppression of the KamLAND event rate: R_{KL}~0.75-0.90 in the case when more than one Delta m^2 is involved.

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Solar Neutrinos: Interpretation of Results

Recent SNO results give strong evidence that the solar neutrinos undergo the flavor conversion. Main issue now is the identification of the mechanism of conversion. The LMA MSW solution with $Δm^2 = (5 - 7) \cdot 10^{-5}$ eV$^2$, $\tan^2 θ= 0.35 - 0.45$ looks rather plausible: it fits well the experimental data and our new theoretical prejudices. In the LMA case, KamLAND should see (0.5 - 0.7) reduced signal. VAC-QVO and LOW are accepted at about $3σ$-level. The SMA solution is practically excluded. No sub-leading effects produced by $U_{e3}$ and admixture of sterile neutrino have been found. The fit becomes worse with increase of $U_{e3}$ (for LMA) and the $ν_s$ admixture. Still (30 - 50)% presence of the sterile neutrino is allowed. Solutions based on the neutrino spin-flip in the magnetic fields of the Sun as well as on non-standard neutrino interactions give good fit of the data. If KamLAND confirms LMA MSW, the spin-flip and non-standard interactions can be considered (and will be searched for) as sub-leading effects.

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Quantum Entanglement of Flux Qubits via a Resonator

We show that flux qubits can be efficiently entangled by inductive coupling to a tunable resonant circuit, in the scheme reminiscent of atoms' entanglement through the optical cavity mode. It is shown, in particular, that the single-photon excitation of the resonator produces the pure Bell state of qubits with the completely disentangled LC circuit.

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Solar neutrinos: global analysis with day and night spectra from SNO

We perform global analysis of the solar neutrino data including the day and night spectra of events at SNO. In the context of two active neutrino mixing, the best fit of the data is provided by the LMA MSW solution with Delta m^2 = 6.15 10^{-5} eV^2, tan^2θ= 0.41, f_B = 1.05, where f_B is the boron neutrino flux in units of the corresponding flux in the Standard Solar Model (SSM). At 3 sigma level we find the following upper bounds: tan^2θ< 0.84 and Delta m^2 < 3.6 10^{-4} eV^2. From 1 sigma-interval we expect the day-night asymmetries of the charged current and electron scattering events to be: A_{DN}^{CC} = 3.9 +3.6-2.9 and A_{DN}^{ES} = 2.1 +2.1-1.4. The only other solution which appears at 3 sigma-level is the VAC solution with Delta m^2 = 4.5 10^{-10} eV^2, tan^2θ= 2.1 and f_B=0.75. The best fit point in the LOW region, with Delta m^2 = 0.93 10^{-7} eV^2 and tan^2θ= 0.64, is accepted at 99.95% (3.5 sigma) C.L. . The least chi^2 point from the SMA solution region, with Delta m^2 = 4.6 10^{-6} eV^2 and tan^2θ= 5 10^{-4}, could be accepted at 5.5 sigma-level only. In the three neutrino context the influence of theta_{13} is studied. We find that with increase of theta_{13} the LMA best fit point shifts to larger Delta m^2, mixing angle is practically unchanged, and the quality of the fit becomes worse. The fits of LOW and SMA slightly improve. Predictions for KamLAND experiment (total rates, spectrum distortion) have been calculated.

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Supernova neutrinos: difference of nu_mu - nu_tau fluxes and conversion effects

The formalism of flavor conversion of supernova neutrinos is generalized to include possible differences in the fluxes of the muon and tau neutrinos produced in the star. In this case the radiatively induced difference of the nu_mu and nu_tau potentials in matter becomes important. The nu_mu and nu_tau flux differences can manifest themselves in the effects of the Earth matter on the observed nu_e (antinu_e) signal if: (i) the neutrino mass hierarchy is normal (inverted); (ii) the solution of the solar neutrino problem is in the LMA region; (iii) the mixing U_{e3} is relatively large: |U_{e3}|>10^{-3}. We find that for differences in the nu_mu - nu_tau (antinu_mu - antinu_tau) average energies and/or integrated luminosities < 20 %, the relative deviation of the observed nu_e (antinu_e) energy spectrum at E > 50 MeV from that in the case of the equal fluxes can reach 20 - 30 % (10 - 15 %) for neutrinos crossing the Earth. It could be detected in future if large detectors sensitive to the nu_e (antinu_e) energy spectrum become available. The study of this effect would allow one to test the predictions of the nu_mu, nu_tau, antinu_mu, antinu_tau fluxes from supernova models and therefore give an important insight into the properties of matter at extreme conditions. It should be taken into account in the reconstruction of the neutrino mass spectrum and mixing matrix from the supernova neutrino observations. We show that even for unequal nu_mu and nu_tau fluxes, effects of leptonic CP violation can not be studied in the supernova neutrino experiments.

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Leptonic Unitarity Triangle and CP-violation

The area of the unitarity triangle is a measure of CP-violation. We introduce the leptonic unitarity triangles and study their properties. We consider the possibility of reconstructing the unitarity triangle in future oscillation and non-oscillation experiments. A set of measurements is suggested which will, in principle, allow us to measure all sides of the triangle, and consequently to establish CP-violation. For different values of the CP-violating phase, $δ_D$, the required accuracy of measurements is estimated. The key elements of the method include determination of $|U_{e3}|$ and studies of the $ν_μ - ν_μ$ survival probability in oscillations driven by the solar mass splitting $Δm^2_{sun}$. We suggest additional astrophysical measurements which may help to reconstruct the triangle. The method of the unitarity triangle is complementary to the direct measurements of CP-asymmetry. It requires mainly studies of the {\it survival} probabilities and processes where oscillations are averaged or the coherence of the state is lost.

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Global Analysis with SNO: Toward the Solution of the Solar Neutrino Problem

We perform a global analysis of the latest solar neutrino data including the SNO result on the CC-event rate. This result further favors the LMA solution of the solar neutrino problem. The best fit values of parameters we find are: Δm^2 = (4.8 - 5.0)10^{-5} eV^2, tan^2 θ= 0.35 - 0.38, f_B = 1.08 - 1.12, and f_{hep} = 1 - 4. With respect to this best fit the LOW solution is accepted at 90% C.L.. The Vacuum oscillation solution with Δm^2 = 1.4 10^{-10} eV^2, gives good fit of the data provided that the boron neutrino flux is substantially smaller than the SSM flux (f_B \sim 0.5). The SMA solution is accepted only at 3σlevel. We find that vacuum oscillations to sterile neutrino, VAC(sterile), with f_B \sim 0.5 also give rather good global fit of the data. All other sterile solutions are strongly disfavored. We check the quality of the fit by constructing the pull-off diagrams of observables. Predictions for the day-night asymmetry, spectrum distortion and NC/CC ratio at SNO are calculated. In the best fit points of the global solutions we find: A_{DN}^{CC} \approx (7 - 8)% for LMA, \sim 3% for LOW, and (2 - 3)% for SMA. It will be difficult to see the distortion of the spectrum expected for LMA as well as LOW solutions. However, future SNO spectral data can significantly affect the VAC and SMA solutions. We also calculate expectations for the BOREXINO rate.

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Supernova neutrinos: Earth matter effects and neutrino mass spectrum

We perform a detailed study of the Earth matter effects on supernova neutrinos. The dependences of these effects on the properties of the original neutrino fluxes, on the trajectory of the neutrinos inside the Earth and on the oscillation parameters are described. We show that, for a large fraction (60 %) of the possible arrival times of the signal, the neutrino flux crosses a substantial amount of the matter of the Earth at least for one of the existing detectors. For oscillation parameters from the LMA solution of the solar neutrino problem the Earth matter effect consists in an oscillatory modulation of the $\barnue$ and/or $ν_e$ energy spectra. The relative deviation with respect to the undistorted spectra can be as large as 20-30 % for E> 20 MeV and 70-100 % for E> 40 MeV. For parameters from the SMA and LOW solutions the effect is localized at low energies (E<10 MeV) and is not larger than 10 %. The Earth matter effects can be revealed (i) by the observation of oscillatory distortions of the energy spectra in a single experiment and (ii) by the comparison between the spectra at different detectors. For a supernova at distance D=10 Kpc, comparing the results of SuperKamiokande (SK), SNO and LVD experiments one can establish the effect at (2-3) σlevel, whereas larger statistical significance ((4-5) σ) is obtained if two experiments of SK-size or larger are available. Studies of the Earth matter effect will select or confirm the solution of the solar neutrino problem, probe the mixing U_{e 3} and identify the hierarchy of the neutrino mass spectrum.

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Neutrino Mass Spectrum and Future Beta Decay Experiments

We study the discovery potential of future beta decay experiments on searches for the neutrino mass in the sub-eV range, and, in particular, KATRIN experiment with sensitivity $m > 0.3$ eV. Effects of neutrino mass and mixing on the beta decay spectrum in the neutrino schemes which explain the solar and atmospheric neutrino data are discussed. The schemes which lead to observable effects contain one or two sets of quasi-degenerate states. Future beta decay measurements will allow to check the three neutrino scheme with mass degeneracy, moreover, the possibility appears to measure the CP-violating Majorana phase. Effects in the four neutrino schemes which can also explain the LSND data are strongly restricted by the results of Bugey and CHOOZ oscillation experiments: Apart from bending of the spectrum and the shift of the end point one expects appearance of small kink of ($ < 2% $) size or suppressed tail after bending of the spectrum with rate below 2 % of the expected rate for zero neutrino mass. We consider possible implications of future beta decay experiments for the neutrino mass spectrum, the determination of the absolute scale of neutrino mass and for establishing the nature of neutrinos. We show that beta decay measurements in combination with data from the oscillation and double beta decay experiments will allow to establish the structure of the scheme (hierarchical or non-hierarchical), the type of the hierarchy or ordering of states (normal or inverted) and to measure the relative CP-violating phase in the solar pair of states.

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High-energy neutrino conversion and the lepton asymmetry in the universe

We study matter effects on oscillations of high-energy neutrinos in the Universe. Substantial effect can be produced by scattering of the neutrinos from cosmological sources ($z\gta 1$) on the relic neutrino background, provided that the latter has large CP-asymmetry: $η\equiv (n_ν-n_{\barν})/n_γ\gta 1$, where $n_ν$, $n_{\barν}$ and $n_γ$ are the concentrations of neutrinos, antineutrinos and photons. We consider in details the dynamics of conversion in the expanding neutrino background. Applications are given to the diffuse fluxes of neutrinos from GRBs, AGN, and the decay of super-heavy relics. We find that the vacuum oscillation probability can be modified by $\sim (10-20)%$ and in extreme cases allowed by present bounds on $η$ the effect can reach $\sim 100%$. Signatures of matter effects would consist (i) for both active-active and active-sterile conversion, in a deviation of the numbers of events produced in a detector by neutrinos of different flavours, $N_α~(α=e,μ,τ)$, and of their ratios from the values given by vacuum oscillations; such deviations can reach $\sim 5-15%$, (ii) for active-sterile conversion, in a characteristic energy dependence of the ratios $N_{e}/N_μ,N_{e}/N_τ,N_μ/N_τ$. Searches for these matter effects will probe large CP and lepton asymmetries in the universe.

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Large Lepton Mixings Induced by Sterile Neutrino

We assume that the mass matrix of active neutrinos has hierarchical form with small mixings, similar to quark mass matrix. We show that the large mixings between $ν_μ$ and $ν_τ$ as well as between $ν_e$ and certain combination of $ν_μ$ and $ν_τ$ required by the present data can appear due to the presence of a sterile neutrino state. Two realizations of this possibility are considered: (i) Large flavor mixing appears as a result of sterile neutrino ``decoupling'' ($m_{ss} \gg m_a$), so that the active-sterile mixings are negligible. (ii) Sterile neutrino has a mass of O(1) eV and its mixing with active neutrinos can be observable. In the second case, the (3+1) scheme of neutrino mass, which also accommodates the LSND result, can be reproduced, provided the hierarchy of the mass matrix of active neutrinos is not strong (the ratio of largest to smallest elements is about two orders of magnitude). The enhancement of lepton mixing via coupling with sterile neutrino can be realized in Grand Unified theories with the see-saw mechanism of neutrino mass generation.

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Neutrinoless double beta decay potential in a large mixing angle world

We discuss the possibility of reconstructing the neutrino mass spectrum from the complementary processes of neutrino oscillations and double beta decay in view of the new data of Super-Kamiokande presented at the Neutrino2000 conference. Since the large mixing angle solution is favored, now, the prospects to observe double beta decay and provide informations on the absolute mass scale in the neutrino sector have been improved.

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Zenith angle distributions at Super-Kamiokande and SNO and the solution of the solar neutrino problem

We have performed a detailed study of the zenith angle dependence of the regeneration factor and distributions of events at SNO and SK for different solutions of the solar neutrino problem. In particular, we discuss oscillatory behaviour and the synchronization effect in the distribution for the LMA solution, the parametric peak for the LOW solution, etc.. Physical interpretation of the effects is given. We suggest a new binning of events which emphasizes distinctive features of zenith angle distributions for the different solutions. We also find the correlations between the integrated day-night asymmetry and the rates of events in different zenith angle bins. Study of these correlations strengthens the identification power of the analysis.

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(3+1)-spectrum of neutrino masses: A chance for LSND?

If active to active neutrino transitions are dominant modes of the atmospheric ($ν_μ \to ν_τ$) and the solar neutrino oscillations ($ν_{e}\to ν_μ/ν_τ$), as is indicated by recent data, the favoured scheme which accommodates the LSND result - the so called (2+2)-scheme - should be discarded. We introduce the parameters $η_s^{atm}$ and $η_s^{sun}$ which quantify an involvement of the sterile component in the solar and atmospheric neutrino oscillations. The (2+2)-scheme predicts $η_s^{atm} + η_s^{sun} = 1$ and the experimental proof of deviation from this equality will discriminate the scheme. In this connection the (3+1)-scheme is revisited in which the fourth (predominantly sterile) neutrino is isolated from a block of three flavour neutrinos by the mass gap $Δm^2_{LSND} \sim (0.4-10)$ eV$^2$. We find that in the (3+1)-scheme the LSND result can be reconciled with existing bounds on $ν_e$- and $ν_μ$ - disappearance at 95-99 % C.L.. The generic prediction of the scheme is the $ν_e$- and $ν_μ$ - disappearance probabilities at the level of present experimental bounds. The possibility to strengthen the bound on $ν_μ$- disappearance in the KEK - front detector experiment is studied. We consider phenomenology of the (3 + 1)-scheme, in particular, its implications for the atmospheric neutrinos, neutrinoless double beta decay searches, supernova neutrinos and primordial nucleosynthesis.

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Neutrinos from SN1987A, Earth matter effects and the LMA solution of the solar neutrino problem

We study properties of the oscillation effects in the matter of the Earth on antineutrino fluxes from supernovae. We show that these effects can provide explanation of the difference in the energy spectra of the events detected by Kamiokande-2 and IMB detectors from SN1987A as well as the absence of high-energy events with $E\gta 40$ MeV. This explanation requires the neutrino oscillation parameters $Δm^2$ and $\sin^2 2θ$ to be in the region of the LMA solution of the solar neutrino problem and the normal mass hierarchy if $|U_{e 3}|^2\gta 10^{-3}$. The hierarchy can be inverted if $|U_{e 3}|^2\ll 10^{-3}$. The solution of the solar neutrino problem based on $ν_e$-conversion to a pure sterile state is disfavoured by SN1987A data.

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Neutrino mass spectrum and lepton mixing

The program of reconstruction of the neutrino mass and flavor spectrum is outlined and the present status of research is summarized. We describe the role of future solar and atmospheric neutrino experiments, detection of the Galactic supernovae and double beta decay searches in accomplishing this program. The LSND result and four neutrino mass spectra are considered in connection with recent searches for the sterile components in the solar and atmospheric neutrino fluxes.

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