Effects of quantum decoherence in a future supernova neutrino detection

Author(s)

dos Santos, Marcos V. ; de Holanda, Pedro C. ; Neto, Pedro Dedin ; Kemp, Ernesto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHYSICAL REVIEW D; v. 108, n. 10, p. 22-pg., 2023-11-17.

Abstract

Quantum decoherence effects in neutrinos, described by the open quantum systems formalism, serve as a gateway to explore potential new physics, including quantum gravity. Previous research extensively investigated these effects across various neutrino sources, imposing stringent constraints on the spontaneous loss of coherence. In this study, we demonstrate that even within the supernovae environment, where neutrinos are released as incoherent states, quantum decoherence could influence the flavor equipartition of 3v mixing. Additionally, we examine the potential energy dependence of quantum decoherence parameters (F = F0(E=E0)n) with different power laws (n = 0; 2; 5=2). Our findings indicate that future-generation detectors (DUNE, Hyper-K, and JUNO) can significantly constrain quantum decoherence effects under different scenarios. For a supernova located 10 kpc away from Earth, if no quantum decoherence is observed, DUNE could potentially establish 3u bounds of F <= 6.2 x 10-14 eV in the normal mass hierarchy (NH) scenario, while Hyper-K would impose a 2u limit of F <= 3.6 x 10-14 eV for the inverted mass hierarchy (IH) with n = 0-assuming no energy exchange between the neutrino subsystem and nonstandard environment. These limits become even more restrictive for a closer supernova. When we relax the assumption of energy exchange, for a 10 kpc distance, DUNE could establish a 3u limit of F8 <= 4.2 x 10-28 eV for NH, while Hyper-K could constrain F8 <= 1.3 x 10-27 eV for IH (n = 0) with 2u, which would be orders of magnitude stronger than the bounds reported to date. Furthermore, we examine the impact of neutrino loss during propagation for future supernova detection. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/01568-0 - Mass hierarchy effects in supernova neutrinos
• Grantee: Pedro Dedin Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 14/19164-6 - Challenges in the 21st century in neutrino physics and astrophysics
• Grantee: Orlando Luis Goulart Peres
• Support Opportunities: Special Projects
• FAPESP's process: 19/08956-2 - Phenomenology of neutrinos oscillation
• Grantee: Pedro Dedin Neto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)