Eur. Phys. J. C (2004) 37: 359-377
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s2004-01988-8

theoretical physics

Spatially dependent quantum interference effects in the detection probability of charged leptons produced in neutrino interactions or weak decay processes

Département de Physique Nucléaire et Corpusculaire, Université de Genéve, 24 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211, Genéve 4, Switzerland

Abstract

Feynman’s path amplitude formulation of quantum mechanics is used to analyse the production of charged leptons from charged current weak interaction processes. For neutrino induced reactions the interference effects predicted are usually called “neutrino oscillations”. Similar effects in the detection of muons from pion decay are here termed “muon oscillations”. Processes considered include pion decay (at rest and in flight), and muon decay and nuclear -decay at rest. In all cases studied, a neutrino oscillation phase different from the conventionally used one is found.