Decays of supernova relic neutrinos

Abstract

We propose that future observations of supernova relic neutrinos (SRN) can be used to probe neutrino decay models. We focus on invisible (e.g. Majoron) decays, and work out the general solution of SRN kinetic equations in the presence of oscillations plus decay. We then apply the general solution to specific decay scenario, and show that the predicted SRN event rate can span the whole range below the current experimental bounds. Therefore, future SRN observations will surely have an impact on the neutrino decay parameter space.

Talk given at 39th Rencontres de Moriond on Electroweak Interactions and Unified Theories, La Thuile, Italy, 21-28 Mar 2004. (7 pages, including 5 figures)