νe → νe scattering with massive Dirac or Majorana neutrinos and general interactions

Abstract

Abstract We calculate the neutrino-electron elastic scattering cross section, extending the results previously obtained in ref. [1], in the presence of generic new interactions that take into account all the effects caused by finite neutrino masses. We address the potential significance of a heavy neutrino sector during precision measurements, particularly for tau neutrinos scattering with masses in the MeV range, for which the existing upper bounds on |U τ4|2 would result in conceivably measurable contributions. Finally, we comment on the possibility to distinguish between Dirac and Majorana neutrinos, including the analysis of the new emerging parameters and its application to illustrative model-dependent scenarios.

Keywords

• Electroweak Precision Physics
• Neutrino Interactions
• Sterile or Heavy Neutrinos