On the history of the PMNS Matrix... with today's perspective

TL;DR

This paper reviews the historical development of the PMNS matrix and neutrino oscillation theory, highlighting key contributions and the evolution of understanding in neutrino physics.

Contribution

It provides a historical perspective on the conceptual foundations and development of the PMNS matrix and neutrino oscillations, emphasizing Bruno Pontecorvo's role.

Findings

Historical insights into neutrino mass and mixing theories

Recognition of Pontecorvo's foundational contributions

Clarification of the evolution of neutrino oscillation understanding

Abstract

The conceptual basis for understanding the interplay of neutrino mass and mixing for neutrino oscillations were paradoxically discussed in a period when the prevailing view was that of massless neutrinos. The name of Bruno Pontecorvo is associated to most of the components for this beautiful quantum phenomenon: muon-electron universality, different neutrino flavours, mismatch between weak interaction and mass eigenstates, neutrino oscillation phenomenology, including flavour and Majorana transitions.