Cosmological gamma-rays from the decay of fourth family neutrinos - Possibility and constraints
Abstract
A fourth-family neutrino, nu4, when sufficiently massive, is allowed by the LEP/SLC results. We find that the nu4 radiative decay in the early universe may yield a bump or spike in the spectrum of the extragalactic gamma-ray background, around 10-100 MeV. From the existing data, we estimate, with large uncertainties, loose constraints on the nu4 properties, which may of some value for the future observations. The spike/bump feature, if observed with the new generation of gamma-ray telescopes, would strongly support the existence of the fourth generation of neutrinos.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- March 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992A&A...256..351C
- Keywords:
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- Cosmology;
- Gamma Ray Spectra;
- Neutrinos;
- Universe;
- Evolution (Development);
- Gamma Ray Telescopes;
- Space Radiation