Why is the helicity of a neutrino unchanged by the weak interaction?

In summary, the conversation discusses the interaction between a neutrino with a Dirac mass and the weak force, and whether this interaction can change the helicity of the neutrino. The Lagrangian for this interaction is shown and it is noted that for massless particles, the helicity is the same as the chirality projector \frac{1 \pm \gamma^5}{2}, but for massive particles, it is not clear. It is then pointed out that the Lagrangian does contain elements that have a left-handed neutrino on one side and a right-handed one on the other, such as Z_{\mu} \bar{\psi}_{\nu_l} \gamma^{\mu}(1-\gamma_5)\
  • #1
Final
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0
Hi...

Consider a neutrino with a Dirac mass [tex] m_\nu [/tex] and the weak interaction

[tex]{\cal{L}}=\frac{g}{2 \sqrt{2}} \sum_l[{W_{\mu}^+ \cdot \bar{\psi}_{\nu_l} \gamma^{\mu}(1-\gamma_5)\psi_l + W_{\mu}^- \cdot \bar{\psi}_{l} \gamma^{\mu}(1-\gamma_5)\psi_{\nu_l} }\right{]} + \frac{g}{4 \cos(\theta_w)}
\sum_l Z_{\mu}[ \bar{\psi}_{\nu_l} \gamma^{\mu}(1-\gamma_5)\psi_{\nu_l} +\bar{\psi}_{l} \gamma^{\mu}(a+b\gamma_5)\psi_{l} ] [/tex]
Why this interaction doesn't change the helicity of the neutrino? It is true?
 
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  • #2
Do you have any elements in that interaction that have a left-handed neutrino on one side of the operator and a right-handed one on the other?
 
  • #3
For massless particle ok, because the elicity is the chirality projector [tex]\frac{1 \pm \gamma^5}{2} [/tex]... But for a massive neutrino? It's the same?
 
  • #4
I don't see any [tex]1+\gamma^5[/tex] there, do you? Which leads me back to my original point: do you see anything in the Lagrangian which has a left-handed neutrino on one side of the operator and a right-handed one on the other?
 
  • #5
Yes... For example [tex] Z_{\mu} \bar{\psi}_{\nu_l} \gamma^{\mu}(1-\gamma_5)\psi_{\nu_l} [/tex]. You may take [tex] \nu \rightarrow \nu +Z [/tex] with the first neutrino left-handed and the second right-handed.
The amplitude is [tex] {\cal{M}}_{fi} \approx \bar{u}' \gamma^{\mu}(1-\gamma_5)u \epsilon_{\mu} [/tex]
with [tex]u^t=\sqrt{\epsilon+m}(\omega_+,\frac{\vec{p}\cdot\vec{\sigma}}{\epsilon+m}\omega_+ )[/tex] and [tex]u'^t=\sqrt{\epsilon'+m}(\omega_-,\frac{\vec{p'}\cdot\vec{\sigma}}{\epsilon+m}\omega_- )[/tex] where [tex] \omega_{\pm} [/tex] are the eigenstates of the elicity...
 

What is the weak interaction?

The weak interaction is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, along with gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong nuclear force. It is responsible for the decay of subatomic particles and plays a crucial role in the nuclear fusion processes that power the sun and other stars.

What is helicity in relation to the weak interaction?

Helicity is a quantum mechanical property that describes the direction of spin of a particle relative to its direction of motion. In the context of the weak interaction, it is used to determine the handedness of a particle, which is important in understanding the behavior of subatomic particles.

How does the weak interaction differ from other fundamental forces?

The weak interaction is unique in that it is the only fundamental force that can change the flavor of a quark, one of the building blocks of matter. It is also the only force that violates parity symmetry, meaning it behaves differently if viewed in a mirror.

What is the role of the weak interaction in the Standard Model of particle physics?

The weak interaction is a crucial component of the Standard Model, which is the most comprehensive and successful theory we have for explaining the behavior of subatomic particles. It is responsible for explaining the decay of particles, the behavior of neutrinos, and the origin of mass through the Higgs mechanism.

How has our understanding of the weak interaction evolved over time?

The weak interaction was first proposed in the 1930s by Enrico Fermi to explain the radioactive decay of subatomic particles. Since then, our understanding of the weak interaction has evolved significantly through experiments and theoretical developments, leading to the development of the Standard Model and our current understanding of the fundamental forces of nature.

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