Where are these neutrino masses coming from?

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    Neutrino mass Particle
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the origins of neutrino mass values, specifically for the muon and tau neutrinos. Participants clarify that while flavor states do not correspond to definite masses, stringent limits exist on neutrino mass eigenstates, all below 1 eV. The values referenced in various sources, including the Particle Data Group and Fermilab, are derived from kinematic limits based on experimental measurements, such as the decay of pions into muons and neutrinos. These experimental limits are not the most competitive compared to other methods, particularly beta decay experiments for electron neutrinos.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics concepts, particularly neutrino properties.
  • Familiarity with kinematics and decay processes in particle interactions.
  • Knowledge of mass eigenstates versus flavor states in quantum mechanics.
  • Basic grasp of experimental methods in particle physics, such as beta decay experiments.
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  • Research the principles of neutrino oscillation and its implications for mass eigenstates.
  • Explore the methodology of beta decay experiments for measuring neutrino masses.
  • Study the Particle Data Group's resources for detailed neutrino mass limits and experimental data.
  • Investigate the role of kinematics in particle decay processes and how they relate to mass measurements.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for particle physicists, students in advanced physics courses, and researchers interested in the properties and measurements of neutrinos.

Turnernater
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TL;DR
Is there a typo in the standard model of elementary particles?
Ever since High school I've seen this model of the "particle zoo," including in my recently finished particle physics undergrad course, and I can't seem to find where the mass numbers for the neutrino family is coming from!

Sure the model has a less than sign, but from what I understand all three should easily be around 1ish eV, and much less than MeV like in the picture. I've looked where Wikipedia was getting the data (the particle data group, Fermilab, PBS nova), and those sources also have something in the eV range.

Any idea where the masses for the muon neutrino and tau neutrino are coming from?
 

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The flavor states are not mass eigenstates. As such, they do not have definite masses.

That said, there are very stringent limits on all (light) neutrino mass eigenstates to be below 1 eV.
 
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As for the values quoted in the image, they are kinematics only limits from direct measurements of various reactions while effectively treating the neutrino involved as if it were a neutrino of a definitive mass. For example, the value quoted for the muon neutrino is based on measuring the muon momentum for the reaction ##\pi^+ \to \mu^+ + \nu_\mu## where the initial pion is at rest.

These limits are generally not competitive with other limits on neutrino masses. The possible exception being the beta decay experiments for ##\nu_e##.
 
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