A search for radiative neutrino decay from supernovae.
Abstract
We have performed a systematic search for massive neutrinos by looking for the characteristic photon spectrum of a possible radiative decay mode. The search was performed using the COMPTEL instrument aboard the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) by observing relatively nearby type-II supernovae that are known to be copious producers of neutrinos. This search was sensitive to neutrino masses mnu_>100eV, lifetimes ~10^5^<=τnu_<=10^15^s, and branching ratios Bgamma_>=10^-5^. We have found no evidence for a radiative decay mode and thus exclude a new region of mnu_/τnu_/Bgamma_-parameter space. In addition, we have re-analyzed the null results of the observation made with the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer aboard the Solar Maximum Mission satellite measurements of SN 1987A.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series
- Pub Date:
- December 1996
- Bibcode:
- 1996A&AS..120C.635M
- Keywords:
-
- ELEMENTARY PARTICLES;
- SUPERNOVAE: INDIVIDUAL: SN 1987A;
- SUPERNOVAE: INDIVIDUAL: SN 1993J;
- DARK MATTER