Lorentz Invariance Violation and IceCube Neutrino Events

Abstract

The IceCube neutrino spectrum shows a flux which falls of as $E^{-2}$ for sub PeV energies but there are no neutrino events observed above $\sim 3$ PeV. In particular the Glashow resonance expected at 6.3 PeV is not seen. We examine a Planck scale Lorentz violation as a mechanism for explaining the cutoff of observed neutrino energies around a few PeV. By choosing the one free parameter the cutoff in neutrino energy can be chosen to be between 2 and 6.3 PeV. We assume that neutrinos (antineutrinos) have a dispersion relation $E^2=p^2 - (ξ_3/M_{Pl})~p^3$, and find that both $π^+$ and $π^-$ decays are suppressed at neutrino energies of order of few PeV. We find that the $μ^-$ decay being a two-neutrino process is enhanced, whereas $μ^+$ decay is suppressed. The $K^+\rightarrow π^0 e^+ ν_e$ is also suppressed with a cutoff neutrino energy of same order of magnitude, whereas $K^-\rightarrow π^0 e^- \bar ν_e$ is enhanced. The $n \rightarrow p^+ e^- \bar ν_e$ decay is suppressed (while the $\bar n \rightarrow p^- e^+ ν_e$ is enhanced). This means that the $\bar ν_e$ expected from $n$ decay arising from $p+γ\rightarrow Δ\rightarrow π^+ n$ reaction will not be seen. This can explain the lack of Glashow resonance events at IceCube. If no Glashow resonance events are seen in the future then the Lorentz violation can be a viable explanation for the IceCube observations at PeV energies.

v2, 16 pages, Version accepted for publication in JHEP