How can a neutrino detector tell the difference between the three types of neutrinos?
Answers
Answered by
0
Neutrinos, couple to the weak and gravitational forces. Consequently they only interact via W/Z or graviton exchange. Because neutrinos don't interact via the electromagnetic force they are not detected directly in neutrino detectors. Instead their presence is inferred by the sudden appearance of charged particles. This is the result of the exchange of a W or Z boson.
A W boson is called a charged current interaction and the exchange of a Z boson is called a neutral current interaction. It is very difficult to identify anything about the neutrino when the neutrino interacts via a neutral current interaction. However when the neutrino interacts via a charged current interaction. The charged lepton partner of the neutrino (electron, muon, or tau particle) is produced. If the neutrino is an anti-neutrion then the corresponding anti-particle partner is produced.
It is possible to differentiate between the 3 charged lepton flavors and their anti-particle using the different masses and charges of the leptons.
A W boson is called a charged current interaction and the exchange of a Z boson is called a neutral current interaction. It is very difficult to identify anything about the neutrino when the neutrino interacts via a neutral current interaction. However when the neutrino interacts via a charged current interaction. The charged lepton partner of the neutrino (electron, muon, or tau particle) is produced. If the neutrino is an anti-neutrion then the corresponding anti-particle partner is produced.
It is possible to differentiate between the 3 charged lepton flavors and their anti-particle using the different masses and charges of the leptons.
Similar questions