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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
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Published on: April 28, 2022
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Neutrino Induced Doppler Broadening
1Institut de Physique, Université de Fribourg, Pérolles, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Summary
Electron capture in Europium-152 emits neutrinos, causing atomic recoil. This recoil, observed as Doppler broadening in gamma rays, allows reconstruction of atomic motion in solids, aiding neutrino experiments.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics
- Atomic physics
- Particle physics
Background:
- Beta decay, specifically electron capture, results in neutrino emission.
- Neutrino emission imparts recoil momentum to the nucleus.
- This atomic recoil can be detected via Doppler broadening of emitted gamma rays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the motion of atoms in a solid state following electron capture.
- To reconstruct the initial dynamics of recoiling atoms in the femtosecond timescale.
- To explore the implications for future neutrino helicity experiments.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the GAMS4 two-axis flat-crystal spectrometer.
- Studied the electron capture reaction in the isotope (152)Eu.
- Analyzed Doppler broadening of gamma rays to infer atomic motion.
Main Results:
- Successfully reconstructed the motion of atoms with 3 eV excess kinetic energy.
- Characterized atomic movement within the first hundreds of femtoseconds post-recoil.
- Demonstrated a method to observe neutrino-induced atomic recoil in solids.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a method to observe and reconstruct neutrino-induced atomic recoil.
- The findings are relevant for designing new experiments to probe neutrino properties.
- This research bridges nuclear decay phenomena with solid-state atomic dynamics.
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