Evolution of Neutrino Characteristics

• Existence

  • Pauli predicted their existence to explain the beta decay spectrum (1930).
  • Reines & Cowan observe the ne (1953).

• Neutrinos come in different flavors

  • Discovery of nm by Lederman, Schwartz, Steinberger, et al. (1962).
  • Observation of nt by DONUT experiment at Fermilab (2000).

• Neutrinos have mass

  • Ray Davis detects solar neutrinos at Homestake and observes deficit in expected yield (1968).
  • IMB and Kamiokande experiments detect atmospheric neutrinos and observe deficit (1985).
  • Super-Kamiokande reports observation of neutrino oscillations establishing non-zero neutrino mass difference and perhaps accounting for neutrino deficits (1998).
  • LSND, SNO, KamLAND, Super-Kamiokande provide latest neutrino oscillation measurements raising even more questions about the fundamental nature of neutrinos (1998-present).

Notes: