Is Lepton Number Conserved in Electron and Muon Neutrino Mixing?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the conservation of lepton number in the context of electron and muon neutrino mixing, described by the Lagrangian \(\mathcal{L}_{m} = -\frac{1}{2}m(\overline{ \nu^{C}_{\mu\text{R}} }\nu_{\text{eL}} + \overline{ \nu^{C}_{\text{eR}} }\nu_{\mu\text{L}}) + \text{h.c.}\). Participants conclude that the mixing indicates Dirac-type neutrinos, suggesting lepton number conservation. The oscillation patterns align with observational data, affirming the theoretical framework. The continuity equation and Euler-Lagrange equation are proposed as methods for calculating lepton number.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Dirac and Majorana neutrinos
  • Familiarity with Lagrangian mechanics in particle physics
  • Knowledge of lepton number conservation principles
  • Basic concepts of neutrino oscillation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the continuity equation in quantum field theory
  • Explore the Euler-Lagrange equation for deriving equations of motion
  • Research the implications of Dirac versus Majorana neutrinos
  • Investigate current experimental data on neutrino oscillations
USEFUL FOR

Particle physicists, theoretical physicists, and students studying neutrino physics and lepton number conservation.

Urvabara
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Homework Statement


In some theory the electron neutrinos and the muon neutrinos mix like this:
\mathcal{L}_{m} &= -\frac{1}{2}m\left(\overline{ \nu^{C}_{\mu\text{R}} }\nu_{\text{eL}} + \overline{ \nu^{C}_{\text{eR}} }\nu_{\mu\text{L}}\right) + \text{h.c.}

Show that there exists a conserving lepton number in this theory. What are the values for \nu_{\text{e}} and \nu_{\mu}? Are the mass eigenstates Dirac neutrinos or Majorana neutrinos? Does the theory fit with the observational data?

Homework Equations



\mathcal{L}_{m} = \dots = -\frac{1}{2}\left(m\overline{ \nu^{C}_{\mu\text{R}} }\nu_{\text{eL}} + m\overline{ \nu^{C}_{\text{eR}} }\nu_{\mu\text{L}}\right) - \frac{1}{2}\left(m\overline{ \nu_{\text{eL}} }\nu_{\mu\text{R}}^{C}+m\overline{ \nu_{\mu\text{L}} }\nu_{\text{eR}}^{C}\right). Right?

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, I was just thinking that it must be Dirac type mixing, if there exists a conserving lepton number. So the neutrinos are Dirac neutrinos. Right?

At least, the oscillation fits with the observational data, though in reality there are three types of neutrinos...

But I do not know how to calculate the lepton number. Maybe using the continuity equation and then constructing the Euler-Lagrange equation, but I do not know the exact procedure.

Can you help?

Thanks!
 
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Anyone?
 
I think they are Dirac.
lepton number conservation? is there some kind of a global symmetry somewhere here?
 

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