Pair creation constrains superluminal neutrino propagation

Area of Science:

• Particle Physics
• Neutrino Physics
• Astroparticle Physics

Background:

• The OPERA collaboration reported evidence of muon neutrinos traveling faster than light.
• This finding, if true, would challenge fundamental principles of physics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physical consequences of superluminal neutrino propagation.
• To assess the viability of the OPERA collaboration's claim.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of energy loss mechanisms for superluminal neutrinos.
• Calculation of neutrino energy spectrum depletion due to pair production.
• Re-analysis of existing experimental data from Super-Kamiokande and IceCube.

Main Results:

• Superluminal neutrinos at the claimed energy and velocity would rapidly lose energy via electron-positron pair bremsstrahlung.
• This energy loss mechanism would significantly deplete the neutrino beam of higher-energy particles.
• Existing data from Super-Kamiokande and IceCube place stringent limits on superluminal neutrino propagation.

Conclusions:

• The OPERA collaboration's claim of superluminal neutrinos faces significant theoretical challenges.
• The proposed energy loss mechanism provides a plausible explanation for potential discrepancies.
• New experimental constraints strongly disfavor superluminal neutrino propagation.