Neutrino-antineutrino annihilation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of massive neutrinos within the standard model, particularly focusing on neutrino-antineutrino annihilation processes. It establishes that the introduction of massive neutrinos leads to a violation of lepton number conservation. The conversation highlights the distinction between Dirac and Majorana neutrinos, emphasizing that annihilation processes are likely only relevant for Majorana neutrinos. The participants explore the concept of neutrino-antineutrino mixing and its dependence on the nature of the neutrinos involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics
  • Knowledge of Dirac and Majorana neutrinos
  • Familiarity with lepton number conservation laws
  • Basic grasp of Lorentz transformations and helicity
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  • Research Majorana neutrinos and their implications in particle physics
  • Study neutrino-antineutrino annihilation processes in detail
  • Explore the role of lepton number conservation in particle interactions
  • Investigate the effects of Lorentz boosts on particle helicity
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Particle physicists, theoretical physicists, and students studying advanced concepts in quantum mechanics and the standard model of particle physics.

hellfire
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As far as I know the usual extension of the standard model to include a massive neutrino implies a violation of the conservation of quantum numbers, this means the lepton number (since the neutrino is uncharged). During its propagation a massive left-handed neutrino can be regarded as a massive right-handed antineutrino with an appropiate Lorentz boost (as explained here). In that case, how can neutrino-antineutrino annihilation processes be explained? Do actually neutrinos and antineutrinos annihilate? It seams to me that there could exist an observer that regards the antineutrino as a neutrino, but still the neutrino as a neutrino.
 
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Dirac neutrinos with mass behave like electrons with mass.
LH and RH refer to their weak interaction. Making a LT on a LH neutrino could give it positive helicity, but it would not be considered a RH particle or an anti-neutrino.
 
Thanks for the answer, but I think my question is rather about Majorana neutrinos. I think neutrino-antineutrino mixing is only possible with Majorana neutrinos. If the neutrino is a Majorana spinor, do annihilations take place?
 

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