Search for possible neutrino radiative decays during the 2001 total solar eclipse

TL;DR

This study searched for visible photons from potential neutrino radiative decays during the 2001 solar eclipse, setting lower lifetime limits for neutrinos with specific masses.

Contribution

First observational attempt to detect neutrino radiative decays during a solar eclipse, establishing new lower lifetime bounds for neutrinos.

Findings

Lower neutrino lifetime limits >1000 s/eV for masses >0.01 eV

No direct detection of radiative decay photons

Constraints improve understanding of neutrino properties

Abstract

We present the results of the observations performed in the occasion of the June 21, 2001 total solar eclipse, looking for visible photons emitted trough a possible radiative decay of solar neutrinos. We establish lower limits for the neutrino proper lifetimes larger than 1000 s/eV, for neutrino masses larger than 0.01 eV.