Abstract
Supernova explosions provide the most sensitive probes of neutrino propagation, such as the possibility that neutrino velocities might be affected by the foamy structure of space-time thought to be generated by quantum-gravitational (QG) effects. Recent two-dimensional simulations of the neutrino emissions from core-collapse supernovae suggest that they might exhibit variations in time on the scale of a few milliseconds. We analyze simulations of such neutrino emissions using a wavelet technique, and consider the limits that might be set on a linear or quadratic violation of Lorentz invariance in the group velocities of neutrinos of different energies, v/c = [1 \pm (E/M_{nuLV1})] or [1 \pm (E/M_{\nuLV2})^2], if variations on such short time scales were to be observed, where the mass scales M_{nuLVi} might appear in models of quantum gravity. We find prospective sensitivities to M_{nuLV1} ~ 2 X 10^{13} GeV and M_{nuLV2} ~ 10^6 GeV at the 95% confidence level, up to two orders of magnitude beyond estimates made using previous one-dimensional simulations of core-collapse supernovae. We also analyze the prospective sensitivities to scenarios in which the propagation times of neutrinos of fixed energies are subject to stochastic fluctuations.
Highlights
Supernovae provide some of the most sensitive probes of neutrino physics [1], as exemplified by studies of the neutrinos detected after emission from SN 1987a [2]
It is desirable to confirm the predicted appearance of such features in neutrino emissions from core-collapse supernovae through more detailed simulations, in particular in three dimensions 1. We find these features sufficiently interesting and well motivated to consider the sensitivity to effects in neutrino propagation that would become available if such rapid time variations were to be observed
Whilst in a two-dimensional simulation the existence of a symmetry axis directs the standing accretion-shock instability (SASI) sloshing motions of the shock and of the accretion flows, these motions are similar in all directions in three dimensions and appear to develop smaller amplitude in any particular direction, leading to a reduced fractional fluctuation of the observable neutrino emission
Summary
Supernovae provide some of the most sensitive probes of neutrino physics [1], as exemplified by studies of the neutrinos detected after emission from SN 1987a [2]. Though an interesting demonstration of principle, that limit was not competitive with laboratory and cosmological limits, and even the increase in sensitivity suggested by the more recent two-dimensional simulations seems unlikely to be competitive Another possibility is to use the neutrino emissions from core-collapse supernovae to constrain effects on neutrino propagation such as might be induced by ‘foamy’ quantumgravitational fluctuations in the fabric of space-time [10]. The superluminal neutrino interpretation of the OPERA data is subject to many other experimental and phenomenological constraints, and one should not assume that it will survive further scrutiny This episode heightens awareness of the importance of probing fundamental principles such as the universality of the velocity of light as sensitively as possible, and our analysis based on two-dimensional simulations of supernova explosions shows that they could provide unparallelled sensitivity to novel effects in neutrino propagation
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