Clock-transport synchronisation for neutrino time-of-flight measurements

TL;DR

This paper proposes a sub-nanosecond clock synchronization method for neutrino time-of-flight experiments, utilizing a transportable clock and general relativity principles, potentially enabling precise tests of neutrino velocities exceeding light speed.

Contribution

It introduces a novel clock transport synchronization technique for neutrino experiments, grounded in verified general relativity theory, enhancing measurement precision.

Findings

Method achieves sub-nanosecond synchronization accuracy.

Experimental verification of the relativistic theory of clock transport.

Potential to test superluminal neutrino velocities with high precision.

Abstract

A method to synchronise, at the sub-nanosecond level, clocks used for neutrino time-of-flight measurements is proposed. Clocks situated near the neutrino source and target are compared with a moveable clock that is transported between them. The general-relativistic theory of the procedure was tested and verified in an experiment performed by Hafele and Keating in 1972. It is suggested that use of such a synchronisation method may contribute to a precise test of the Sagnac effect ---a measured velocity greater than $c$--- for neutrinos of the proposed LBNE beam between Fermilab and the Homestake mine.