Neutrino oscillations and scattering theory

Abstract We derive the neutrino oscillation probability in vacuum using scattering theory methods developed earlier in the context of collider physics [1–3]. It is computed from Feynman diagrams that combine neutrino production and detection processes into a single quantum amplitude. Initial-state p...

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Main Authors: Ilian Dobrev, Kirill Melnikov, Thomas Schwetz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of High Energy Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2025)035
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author Ilian Dobrev
Kirill Melnikov
Thomas Schwetz
author_facet Ilian Dobrev
Kirill Melnikov
Thomas Schwetz
author_sort Ilian Dobrev
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We derive the neutrino oscillation probability in vacuum using scattering theory methods developed earlier in the context of collider physics [1–3]. It is computed from Feynman diagrams that combine neutrino production and detection processes into a single quantum amplitude. Initial-state particles in the neutrino source and the detector are treated as wave packets. In contrast to many other approaches, we work with transition probabilities, rather than the amplitude itself, and do not specify the form of the wave packets to arrive at the neutrino oscillation formula. Our approach offers a simple and transparent framework to discuss decoherence effects in neutrino oscillations, as well as the effects of the finite lifetime of the neutrino source. The latter are particularly relevant for oscillation experiments using neutrinos from pion decays in flight.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1029-8479
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher SpringerOpen
record_format Article
series Journal of High Energy Physics
spelling doaj-art-a25dd7dfb524496eb8c44b4e513e4a9c2025-08-20T04:01:44ZengSpringerOpenJournal of High Energy Physics1029-84792025-07-012025712410.1007/JHEP07(2025)035Neutrino oscillations and scattering theoryIlian Dobrev0Kirill Melnikov1Thomas Schwetz2Institute for Theoretical Particle Physics (TTP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)Institute for Theoretical Particle Physics (TTP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)Institute for Astroparticle Physics (IAP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)Abstract We derive the neutrino oscillation probability in vacuum using scattering theory methods developed earlier in the context of collider physics [1–3]. It is computed from Feynman diagrams that combine neutrino production and detection processes into a single quantum amplitude. Initial-state particles in the neutrino source and the detector are treated as wave packets. In contrast to many other approaches, we work with transition probabilities, rather than the amplitude itself, and do not specify the form of the wave packets to arrive at the neutrino oscillation formula. Our approach offers a simple and transparent framework to discuss decoherence effects in neutrino oscillations, as well as the effects of the finite lifetime of the neutrino source. The latter are particularly relevant for oscillation experiments using neutrinos from pion decays in flight.https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2025)035Neutrino MixingNeutrino Interactions
spellingShingle Ilian Dobrev
Kirill Melnikov
Thomas Schwetz
Neutrino oscillations and scattering theory
Journal of High Energy Physics
Neutrino Mixing
Neutrino Interactions
title Neutrino oscillations and scattering theory
title_full Neutrino oscillations and scattering theory
title_fullStr Neutrino oscillations and scattering theory
title_full_unstemmed Neutrino oscillations and scattering theory
title_short Neutrino oscillations and scattering theory
title_sort neutrino oscillations and scattering theory
topic Neutrino Mixing
Neutrino Interactions
url https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2025)035
work_keys_str_mv AT iliandobrev neutrinooscillationsandscatteringtheory
AT kirillmelnikov neutrinooscillationsandscatteringtheory
AT thomasschwetz neutrinooscillationsandscatteringtheory