Prospective Constraints on Neutrino Masses from a Core-Collapse Supernova

TL;DR

This paper explores how observations of neutrino emissions from a galactic supernova could set upper limits on neutrino masses, potentially reaching 0.14 eV, if time variations are detectable.

Contribution

It demonstrates that wavelet analysis of supernova neutrino signals can improve upper bounds on neutrino masses to about 0.14 eV.

Findings

Potential to set neutrino mass limit at 0.14 eV

Wavelet analysis effectively detects time variations in neutrino signals

Time variations in emissions are crucial for mass constraints

Abstract

We discuss the prospects for improved upper limits on neutrino masses that may be provided by a core-collapse supernova explosion in our galaxy, if it exhibits time variations in the neutrino emissions on the scale of a few milliseconds as suggested by recent two-dimensional simulations. Analyzing simulations of such neutrino emissions using the wavelet technique adopted in [1], we find that an upper limit m_nu ~ 0.14 eV could be established at the 95% confidence level if the time variations in emissions were to be preserved during neutrino propagation to the Earth.