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Limits on neutrino mass from cosmic structure formation
1Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo, Tanashi, Tokyo 188, Japan and Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|October 4, 2000
Summary
Cosmic structure formation is impacted by neutrino mass. This study establishes a strong upper limit for neutrino mass, finding it must be less than 0.9 eV to align with cosmological observations.
Area of Science:
- Cosmology
- Particle Physics
Background:
- Neutrino mass is a fundamental parameter in particle physics.
- Understanding neutrino mass is crucial for accurate cosmic structure formation models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of three nearly degenerate neutrino species on cosmic structure formation.
- To derive an upper limit for neutrino mass based on cosmological data.
Main Methods:
- Hierarchical clustering scenario with a flat Gaussian initial perturbation spectrum.
- Matching fluctuation powers at the COBE and cluster scales.
- Analysis within a low-matter-density universe.
Main Results:
- A strong upper limit on neutrino mass is derived.
- For Omega = 0.3 and H0 < 80 km/s/Mpc, neutrino mass (m(nu)) < 0.6 eV.
- With Omega < 0.4, H0 < 80 km/s/Mpc, and age t(0) > 11.5 Gyr, the limit is m(nu) < 0.9 eV.
Conclusions:
- The study provides stringent constraints on the total mass of active neutrinos.
- These findings have implications for both particle physics and our understanding of the universe's evolution.