John Walker Colloquium

Fri. Jan. 20 12:30 PM - Fri. Jan. 20 01:20 PM
Location: 3M69

John Walker, T2K

Neutrino Masses

Neutrinos are the lightest Standard Model particle, and among the least understood. The discovery of neutrino oscillations provided evidence that the neutrinos have non-zero masses, a feature not allowed for by the Standard Model. Measurement of neutrino masses would therefore be a window into new physics, as well as increase our understanding of the structure and formation of the universe. As well as constraining the neutrino mass from cosmological observations, a more targeted experimental program is being pursued. Single beta decays or electron captures provide a direct probe, while neutrinoless double beta decay allows for an indirect determination. The observation of neutrinoless double beta decay also provides a method for determining whether the neutrino is a Majorana particle, a new particle type which is its own antiparticle. The journey towards our current understanding will be described, as well as the different experimental approaches.