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Quantum field theoretic approach to neutrino oscillations in matter

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Abstract

We consider neutrino oscillations in non-uniform matter in a quantum field theoretic (QFT) approach, in which neutrino production, propagation and detection are considered as a single process. We find the conditions under which the oscillation probability can be sensibly defined and demonstrate how the properly normalized oscillation probability can be obtained in the QFT framework. We derive the evolution equation for the oscillation amplitude and discuss the conditions under which it reduces to the standard Schrödinger-like evolution equation. It is shown that, contrary to the common usage, the Schrödinger-like evolution equation is not applicable in certain cases, such as oscillations of neutrinos produced in decays of free pions provided that sterile neutrinos with Δm 2 ≳ 1 eV2 exist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117, Heidelberg, Germany

    Evgeny Kh. Akhmedov & Alina Wilhelm

  2. National Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia

    Evgeny Kh. Akhmedov

Authors
  1. Evgeny Kh. Akhmedov
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  2. Alina Wilhelm
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Correspondence to Evgeny Kh. Akhmedov.

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ArXiv ePrint: 1205.6231

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Akhmedov, E.K., Wilhelm, A. Quantum field theoretic approach to neutrino oscillations in matter. J. High Energ. Phys. 2013, 165 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP01(2013)165

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP01(2013)165

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