Heavy sterile neutrino decay into Z bosons. (Feynman Diagram)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the decay of heavy sterile neutrinos into Z bosons, specifically focusing on the calculation of the decay amplitude using Feynman diagrams. Participants explore the theoretical implications of sterile neutrinos within the context of weak interactions and the appropriate application of Feynman rules.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a decay amplitude expression involving a heavy sterile neutrino and a Z boson, questioning if the standard weak vertex can be modified to include the outgoing Z boson vector.
  • Another participant challenges the validity of the vertex, arguing that sterile neutrinos do not interact via weak interactions and suggesting alternative resources for understanding heavy neutrino decay.
  • A third participant agrees with the assertion that the vertex may be zero for sterile neutrinos, emphasizing the need to define couplings and the nature of "sterility."
  • A later reply introduces the idea that interesting sterile neutrino models often involve small mixings with active neutrinos, which may relate to the proposed coupling constant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the interaction of sterile neutrinos with Z bosons, with some asserting that the vertex is zero while others suggest the presence of small mixings. The discussion remains unresolved on the specifics of the decay process and the implications of sterile neutrino models.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the definitions of sterile neutrinos and the assumptions regarding their interactions. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps necessary for calculating the decay amplitude.

HypnoFunk
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Hello there,

I am looking at the decays of Heavy sterile neutrinos in the their mass states to Z bosons.

Using the feynman rules, how would I go about calculating the decay amplitude. I have only ever seen cases where the Z boson is a propagator. Would my expression look something like this:

<br /> M = \kappa\frac{g}{2\cos\theta_{W}}\overline{\nu_{1}}(2)\gamma^{\mu}P_{L}N_{m}(1)\epsilon_{\mu}^{*}(3)<br />

where \kappa is some constant. Essentially the Feynman diagram looks like a standard weak vertex between two neutrinos. The only difference is that one of them is Heavy (GeV-TeV) scale. However my question really is about whether I just take the standard vertex and include the \epsilon^{*\mu} vector for the outgoing Z-boson.

The standard vertex factor reads
<br /> -i\frac{g}{2\cos\theta_{W}}\kappa\gamma^{\mu}P_{L}<br />

Is it enough for me to just add \epsilon^{\mu *} for the outgoing Z boson?

Thank you to anyone who can help.
 
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i think the part of z (ϵμ∗ )boson is correct but there is a problem in vertex. Because sterile neutrino does not interact in weak interaction so it will not couple to z boson. so you need to do something different here. You can check Mahapotro's " Massive neutrinos in physics and astrophysics " . check out the chapter on Left right symmetric model. there check sections like FCNC and heavy neutrino decay. I think you can find your answer there. So check if possible.
 
I think that's right - if it's sterile, the vertex is 0, right?

More realistically, you will have to have to define your couplings and decide how sterile is sterile.
 
Vanadium, in my experience, sterile neutrino models (well, interesting ones at least) generally have small mixings between the sterile and active neutrinos. I think that's what Hypnofunk's \kappa is intended to quantify.
 

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