A Lorentz-Violating Origin of Neutrino Mass?

TL;DR

This paper investigates how Very Special Relativity (VSR) could naturally generate neutrino masses without sterile states and predicts unique experimental signatures near beta decay endpoints.

Contribution

It introduces a VSR-based mechanism for neutrino mass generation that does not require sterile neutrinos and discusses observable differences from standard models.

Findings

VSR can produce neutrino masses conserving lepton number

Neutrinoless double beta decay is forbidden under VSR

VSR effects are significant near beta decay endpoints

Abstract

We explore implications for neutrino physics of Very Special Relativity (VSR), wherein the symmetry group of nature includes only a 4-parameter subgroup of the Lorentz group. VSR can provide a natural origin to lepton-number conserving neutrino masses without need for sterile (right-handed) states. Neutrinoless double beta decay is forbidden if VSR is solely responsible for neutrino masses. For ultra-relativistic neutrinos, such as are ordinarily studied, VSR and conventional neutrino masses are indistinguishable. However, we show that VSR effects can be significant near the beta decay endpoint where neutrinos are not ultra-relativistic.