Mass of Neutrino: Upper Limit & How Measured

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the current upper limit of the mass of the most massive neutrino and the methods used to measure this limit. It encompasses theoretical considerations, measurement techniques, and the implications of neutrino mass eigenstates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the current upper limit on neutrino mass and the measurement methods.
  • Another participant references multiple papers discussing neutrino mass and measurement techniques, suggesting that these sources provide detailed explanations.
  • A different participant notes that the masses of neutrino flavors are not directly known, as they are combinations of mass eigenstates, and emphasizes the importance of mean values and various decay processes in establishing limits.
  • It is mentioned that the upper limit on neutrino mass varies between 0.3 to 2.4 eV, depending on the measurement method, with a lower bound of at least one neutrino being greater than or equal to 0.04 eV based on delta mass squared results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the upper limit of neutrino mass and the methods of measurement, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights uncertainties regarding the hierarchy of mass eigenstates and the implications of neutrino oscillation measurements, which have not clarified the highest and lowest mass states.

edpell
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What is the current upper limit on the mass of the most massive neutrino? How is that limit measured? Thanks.
 
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We don't know the masses of the neutrino flavors, just because the neutrino flavors are a combination of neutrino mass eigenstates. A mean value would only make sense. The straightforward searches are based on Tritium, Pion and Tau weak decays. They all can give limits. Of course there are other means that can give lower limits, such as cosmological observations...

Some insight you can find here
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/neutrino-mass-paper.789275/page-2
posts #39 and post #34 (as an answer to my question)

As for the mass eigenstates, we still don't know their hierarchy... The difference of mass squared measured by the neutrino oscillation hasn't given us an insight of what is the lowest and highest mass (that's why when people give the mass eigenstates in presentations, they draw two diagrams, the one inversed to the other)
 
Last edited:
From reading around it seems the upper limit is in the range 0.3 to 2.4eV depending on which measurement method you favor. From the delta mass squared result we have a lower bound of at least one neutrino >= 0.04eV mass.
 
The question of the OP has been answered. I am closing this thread.
 

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