Can Neutrino Mass Eigenstates Ever Change into Other Mass Eigenstates?

[McLaren Rulez]

Hi,

We know that when we have one flavour of neutrino, it can change into another flavour by neutrino oscillations. However, if we consider a mass eigenstate, then is it true that it can never change into a different mass eigenstate? In other words is a |v_{1}> neutrino forever a |v_{1}>? I think the answer is yes but I would like to clarify.

If so, are the mass eigenstates the "real" fundamental particles then but it just happens to be that we can only observe neutrino flavours?

Thank you!

 

[Parlyne]

That sounds about right.

 

[kith]

If so, are the mass eigenstates the "real" fundamental particles then but it just happens to be that we can only observe neutrino flavours?

It's not only a matter of observation, but also of production. Since the neutrino flavors are the eigenstates of the weak interaction Hamiltonian, these are the particles which are produced in weak interactions.

 

[McLaren Rulez]

Thank you very much, Parlyne and kith.