Neutrino Propagation in Quantum Field Theory at Short and Long Baselines

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum field theoretical model of neutrino propagation, analyzing how wave packet effects modify oscillation behavior and event rates over short and long distances, potentially explaining anomalies.

Contribution

It introduces a wave packet modified neutrino propagator expressed through asymptotic series, providing new insights into neutrino oscillations and inverse-square law violations.

Findings

Leading-order corrections violate inverse-square law

Neutrino event rates decrease due to wave packet effects

Potential explanation for reactor antineutrino anomaly

Abstract

In a quantum field approach to neutrino oscillations, the neutrino is treated as a propagator, while the external initial and final particle states are described by covariant wave packets. For the asymptotic behavior on short and long macroscopic baselines, the wave packet modified neutrino propagator is expressed through asymptotic series in powers of dimensionless Lorentz and rotation invariant variables. In both regimes, leading-order corrections violate the classical inverse-square law and lead to a decrease in the neutrino-induced event rate. The possibility that the so-called reactor antineutrino anomaly can, at least partially, be explained within this approach is discussed.