Is neutrino spin-parity 1/2+ or 1/2-?

[cairoliu]

Wikipedia only tells neutrino spin 1/2, but no tell parity sign: positive or negative?

 

[PeterDonis]

What do you mean by "parity sign"?

 

[cairoliu]

What do you mean by "parity sign"?

Because I know protons, neutron, electron all 1/2+ spin with positive sign of parity, but only know neutrino 1/2 spin.

 

[PeterDonis]

Because I know protons, neutron, electron all 1/2+ spin with positive sign of parity

Again, what do you mean by "positive sign of parity"? Please give a reference.

 

[cairoliu]

Again, what do you mean by "positive sign of parity"? Please give a reference.

Jπ always comes together, if Jπ = 1/2+, it means spin = 1/2, parity = +1.
I need know neutrino's Jπ, 1/2+ or 1/2- ? At least J = 1/2 is sure, but π = +1 or -1?

 

[cairoliu]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parity_(physics)

 

[PeterDonis]

Ok, then the answer is that neutrinos do not have a definite parity, since neutrinos only interact via weak interactions and weak interactions do not conserve parity.

 

[Orodruin]

Also, in addition to what Peter said, what do you imagine that the parity transformation of a left-handed neutrino is?

 

[cairoliu]

Also, in addition to what Peter said, what do you imagine that the parity transformation of a left-handed neutrino is?

I imagine it as left hand ruled direction of angular momentum vector. right or wrong?
Anyway momentum conserves.

 

[Orodruin]

No, I asked you what you thought the parity transformation of the left-handed neutrino is. Not what the left-handed neutrino is.

 

[cairoliu]

No, I asked you what you thought the parity transformation of the left-handed neutrino is. Not what the left-handed neutrino is.

Sorry, no idea, please teach me.
For the neutron decay: n -> p + e + anti-neutrino
If parity of anti-neutrino = +1, then left = +1 = right = (+1)*(+1)*(+1) = +1.
But parity not conserved in beta decay weak interaction, then it seems the parity of anti-neutrino = -1, then left not equal right. Just confused.

 

[cairoliu]

Ok, then the answer is that neutrinos do not have a definite parity, since neutrinos only interact via weak interactions and weak interactions do not conserve parity.

Thanks for your answer.
Last little confused:
"do not have a definite parity" means parity of neutrino could be +1 or -1 both possible?

 

[Orodruin]

It means that it does not make sense to talk about the parity of a neutrino in the way you are imagining. Weak charged current interactions only couple to left-handed particles, which break parity maximally. There are no right-handed neutrinos in the standard model.

 

[cairoliu]

I like to think symbolically and mathematically, and let equation itself tell whether parity conserve. Therefore if there is a value for neutrino parity, then beta decay equation can mathematically show non-conservation of parity, not by fuzzy words.

 

[Orodruin]

There is nothing about fuzzy words in the standard model. It is a well defined theory. That you do not understand that some concepts that you have learned previously are not applicable to weak decays does not mean that weak decays are non-mathematical.

 

[PeterDonis]

I like to think symbolically and mathematically, and let equation itself tell whether parity conserve.

The equations governing the weak interactions of neutrinos are easily found in textbooks or online.