arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Raymond R. Volkas.
We consider neutrino oscillations in a medium in which scattering processes are blind to the neutrino flavour. We present an analytical derivation of the synchronised behaviour obtained in the limit where the average scattering rate is much larger than the oscillation frequency. We also examine MSW transitions in these circumstances, and show that a sharpening of the transition can result.
We construct a model which provides maximal mixing between a pseudo-Dirac $ν_μ/ν_τ$ pair, based on a local $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}$ symmetry. Its strengths, weaknesses and phenomenological consequences are examined. The mass gap necessitated by the pseudo-Dirac structure is most naturally associated with the LSND anomaly. The solar neutrino problem then requires a light mirror or sterile neutrino. By paying a fine-tuning price to nullify the mass gap, one can also invoke $ν_e \to ν_{μ,τ}$ for the solar problem. The model predicts a new intermediate range force mediated by the light gauge boson of $U(1)_{L_μ-L_τ}$. Through the mixing of $μ$, $τ$ and $e$, this force couples to electrons and thus may be searched for in precision ``gravity'' experiments.
We demonstrate that the relic neutrino asymmetry evolution equation derived from the quantum kinetic equations (QKEs) reduces to the Boltzmann limit that is dependent only on the instantaneous neutrino number densities, in the adiabatic limit in conjunction with sufficient damping. An original physical and/or geometrical interpretation of the adiabatic approximation is given, which serves as a convenient visual aid to understanding the sharply contrasting resonance behaviours exhibited by the neutrino ensemble in opposing collision regimes. We also present a classical analogue for the evolution of the difference in $ν_α$ and $ν_s$ number densities which, in the Boltzmann limit, is akin to the behaviour of the generic reaction $A \rightleftharpoons B$ with equal forward and reverse reaction rate constants. A new characteristic quantity, the matter and collision-affected mixing angle of the neutrino ensemble, is identified here for the first time. The role of collisions is revealed to be twofold: (i) to wipe out the inherent oscillations, and (ii) to equilibrate the $ν_α$ and $ν_s$ number densities in the long run. Studies on non-adiabatic evolution and its possible relation to rapid oscillations in lepton number generation also feature, with the introduction of an adiabaticity parameter for collision-affected oscillations.
We derive an approximate relic neutrino asymmetry evolution equation that systematically incorporates repopulation processes from the full quantum kinetic equations (QKEs). It is shown that in the collision dominant epoch, the said equation reduces precisely to the expression obtained previously from the static/adiabatic approximation. The present treatment thus provides a rigorous justification for the seemingly incongruous assumptions of a negligible repopulation function and instantaneous repopulation sometimes employed in earlier works.
The exact Quantum Kinetic Equations for a two-flavour active-sterile neutrino system are used to provide a systematic derivation of approximate evolution equations for the relic neutrino asymmetry. An extension of the adiabatic approximation for matter-affected neutrino oscillations is developed which incorporates decoherence due to collisions. Exact and approximate expressions for the decoherence and repopulation functions are discussed. A first pass is made over the exact treatment of multi-flavour partially incoherent oscillations.
It has been proposed that the annihilation process $ν\barν \to e^{-}e^{+} \to γγ$ may be responsible for the generation of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The incipient neutrino--antineutrino pairs carry virtually all of the gravitational binding energy available from the central engine. However, gamma-ray bursters proposed to date are inevitably surrounded by an excess of baryons, leading to the "baryon-loading problem". In the light of growing evidence for neutrino oscillations, we discuss the implications of matter-affected oscillations for GRB energetics, and on the viability of "mirror" stars as GRB progenitors.
A consequence of the evaporation of primordial black holes in the early universe may be the generation of mirror matter. This would have implications with regard to dark matter, and the number of light particle species in equilibrium at the time of big bang nucleosynthesis. The possibilities for the production of mirror matter by this mechanism are explored.
Energy-dependent solar neutrino flux reduction caused by the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) effect is applied to the Exact Parity Model. Several scenarios are possible, depending on the region of parameter space chosen. The interplay between intergenerational MSW transitions and vacuum ``intragenerational'' ordinary-mirror neutrino oscillations is discussed. Expectations for the ratio of charged to neutral current event rates at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) are estimated. The implications of the various scenarios for the Boron neutrino energy spectrum and BOREXINO are briefly discussed. The consequences of MSW-induced solar neutrino depletion within the Exact Parity Model differ in interesting ways from the standard $ν_e - ν_{μ, τ}$ and $ν_e - ν_s$ cases. The physical causes of these differences are determined.
A link is established between the observed (approximate) geometric mass hierarchy of quarks and leptons and the triangular structure of their tenable flavor representations. This singles out SU(3) as the horizontal flavor group, thereby linking the Fermi mass hierarchy with the threefold family replication. These linkages are exploited within a flavor-chiral SU(3) model, with fermions and Higgs bosons in the 3+6* representation. The model is Left-Right symmetric and utilizes the universal see-saw mechanism with a geometric mass suppression pattern. Given certain assumptions, the model produces successful mass-ratio (rather than square-mass-ratio) mixing angle relations and fixes the light quark mass ratio.