School of Physics - Theses

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    Neutrino oscillations and the early universe
    Bell, Nicole Fiona ( 2000)
    We construct a model which provides maximal mixing between a pseudo-Dirac Vµ/VT pair, based on a local U(1)Lµ-LT symmetry. Its strengths, weaknesses and phenomenological consequences are examined. A new intermediate range force is predicted, mediated by the light gauge boson of U(1)Lµ-LT. Through the mixing of µ, T and e, this force couples to electrons and thus may be searched for in precision “gravity” experiments.The generation of relic neutrino asymmetries in the early universe via the mechanism of partially coherent active-sterile neutrino oscillations is considered. We study how an approximate evolution equation for the growth of the asymmetry can be extracted from the exact Quantum Kinetic Equations which describe the evolution of the neutrino ensemble, and examine the nature of some of the approximations employed.