New Insights into Dirac and Majorana Neutrinos Challenge Established Beliefs

Recent research has examined the widely held belief regarding the distinction between Dirac and Majorana neutrinos, specifically through a model-independent approach known as the practical Dirac Majorana confusion theorem (pDMCT). This theorem suggests that identifying differences between Dirac and Majorana neutrinos using kinematical observables is practically impossible, as these differences are proportional to the square of the neutrino mass.

The study, authored by C. S. Kim, scrutinizes the applicability of pDMCT in processes that involve at least a neutrino-antineutrino pair in their final state. The findings indicate that pDMCT is not a fundamental property of neutrinos but rather a phenomenological feature that depends on specific models and processes.

The research clarifies common misconceptions surrounding pDMCT, particularly the idea of analytic continuity between Dirac and Majorana neutrinos as the neutrino mass approaches zero. By addressing these misunderstandings, the study aims to refine the theoretical framework surrounding neutrino physics.

This work is significant as it challenges existing notions in neutrino research and emphasizes the importance of context when interpreting results related to neutrino properties. The implications of these findings could influence future experimental designs and theoretical models in high-energy physics.

The full paper, titled "Practical Dirac Majorana confusion theorem: Issues and Applicability," can be accessed on arXiv under the identifier arXiv:2307.05654.