Right-Handed Neutrinos: Interactions & Weight Explained

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In summary: However, indirect evidence could be found through the effects of heavy neutrinos on low energy observables, such as the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon or neutrinoless double beta decay. Overall, confirming the existence and properties of right-handed neutrinos is still an ongoing challenge in particle physics.
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bsaucer
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I've read that if right-handed neutrinos exist, they should be heavier than left-handed neutrinos (why?). I figured if an observer moves faster than a left-handed neutrino, he'd see it as right-handed. Also, would right-handed neutrinos interact with Z-bosons? How would such interactions be detected?
 
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bsaucer said:
I've read that if right-handed neutrinos exist, they should be heavier than left-handed neutrinos (why?).
Right handed neutrinos are standard model singlets. As soon as you add them to your model, there is nothing stopping you from writing down a Majorana mass term for them. A priori, you have no handle on what this mass should be - it is a new scale in your theory. To put it very large is popular for several reasons, among them explaining the light masses of neutrinos through the seesaw mechanism, but by no means is this a necessary requirement.

bsaucer said:
I figured if an observer moves faster than a left-handed neutrino, he'd see it as right-handed.
This is quite a bit of over-simplification. Suffice to say, if you do this for a Majorana neutrino, you will obtain a right handed anti-neutrino.

bsaucer said:
Also, would right-handed neutrinos interact with Z-bosons? How would such interactions be detected?
No. However, since there would be an ever so small mixing with the light neutrinos due to the Yukawa term, the actual physical state with definite mass will have a Z interaction suppressed by the mixing squared. The interaction with the W, or with the Z and a light neutrino, would be linearly suppressed by the mixing and cause decays of the heavy states. This is the main mechanism behind leptogenesis, which is a proposed solution to the baryon asymmetry.

In order to test the interactions of the right handed neutrinos directly, you would have to produce them. This is far beyond current experimental limits for most viable models.
 

Related to Right-Handed Neutrinos: Interactions & Weight Explained

1. What are Right-Handed Neutrinos?

Right-Handed Neutrinos are hypothetical particles that are predicted by some theories to exist in addition to the three known types of neutrinos. They are believed to have no charge and very little mass, and are thought to interact only through gravity and the weak nuclear force.

2. How do Right-Handed Neutrinos interact?

Right-Handed Neutrinos are thought to interact through the weak nuclear force, which is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. This force is responsible for radioactive decay and plays a crucial role in many nuclear reactions. However, the interaction of Right-Handed Neutrinos is very weak, making them difficult to detect and study.

3. What is the weight of Right-Handed Neutrinos?

The weight, or mass, of Right-Handed Neutrinos is still a topic of debate and research. Some theories suggest that they have very little mass, while others propose that they may have a much larger mass. However, due to their weak interactions, it is difficult to measure the weight of Right-Handed Neutrinos directly.

4. What is the significance of Right-Handed Neutrinos in physics?

The existence of Right-Handed Neutrinos has important implications for our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. They may provide insight into the origin of mass and the symmetry between matter and antimatter. Additionally, their discovery could help explain the mysterious nature of dark matter, which makes up a significant portion of the universe.

5. How are scientists searching for evidence of Right-Handed Neutrinos?

Scientists are using a variety of experimental methods to search for evidence of Right-Handed Neutrinos. These include high-energy particle accelerators, underground detectors, and satellite-based experiments. By studying the interactions and decay patterns of other particles, scientists hope to indirectly detect the presence of Right-Handed Neutrinos and confirm their existence.

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