Understanding the Relationship Between Neutrino Flavours and Mass Eigenstates

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the relationship between neutrino flavour eigenstates and mass eigenstates, particularly in the context of neutrinos produced from charged pion decay. Participants explore the forces involved in this process and the state of the neutrino at the moment of its creation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on the difference between flavour and mass eigenstates and questions the state of the neutrino at creation.
  • Another participant confirms that the force involved in the decay is the weak force.
  • A later reply asserts that during the decay of a pion into a muon and a neutrino, the neutrino is in the flavour eigenstate of a muon neutrino, but it propagates as a combination of mass eigenstates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the involvement of the weak force in the decay process. However, there is no consensus on the specifics of the relationship between flavour and mass eigenstates at the moment of neutrino creation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the nuances of how flavour and mass eigenstates interact or the implications of their relationship in this context.

David_Harkin
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Could somebody please explain to me the difference between flavour and mass eigenstates.

The question is "Neutrinos can be produced from charged pion decay, What
force is involved, and at the time of creation is the neutrino in a flavour or
mass eigenstate, and why?"

And why would it be in one of these states at creation?

Cheers Guys!
 
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Hello David! :wink:
David_Harkin said:
The question is "Neutrinos can be produced from charged pion decay, What
force is involved, and at the time of creation is the neutrino in a flavour or
mass eigenstate, and why?"

First, what force is involved? :smile:
 
Most definitely weak!
 
In the decay pion-->muon+neutrino the neutrino must be in the flavor eigenstate of a muon neutrino. It propagates as a linear combination of two (or three) mass eigenstates.
 

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