Neutrino signals in electron-capture storage-ring experiments

TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility that neutrino signals in electron-capture decay experiments at GSI could show time-dependent modulations, suggesting new experimental avenues to investigate these effects.

Contribution

It reexamines neutrino signals in electron-capture decays in storage rings, proposing that daughter ion detection rates may exhibit periodic modulations similar to observed decay rate oscillations.

Findings

Detection rates may show seconds-long modulations.

Modulations could be linked to neutrino properties.

Proposes new experiments to test these effects.

Abstract

Neutrino signals in electron-capture decays of hydrogen-like parent ions P in storage-ring experiments at GSI are reconsidered, with special emphasis placed on the storage-ring quasi-circular motion of the daughter ions D in two-body decays P --> D + e-neutrino. It is argued that to the extent that daughter ions are detected, these detection rates might exhibit modulations with periods of order seconds, similar to those reported in the GSI storage-ring experiments for two-body decay rates [1,2]. New dedicated experiments in storage rings, or using traps, could explore these modulations.