Limit on ν¯e mass from observation of the β decay of molecular tritium

R. G. H. Robertson, T. J. Bowles, G. J. Stephenson, Jr., D. L. Wark, J. F. Wilkerson, and D. A. Knapp
Phys. Rev. Lett. 67, 957 – Published 19 August 1991
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Abstract

We report the most sensitive direct upper limit set on the mass mν of the electron antineutrino. Our measurements of the shape of the β decay spectrum of free molecular tritium yield, under the assumption of no new physics other than that of mass, a central value for mν2 of -147±68±41 eV2, which corresponds to an upper limit of 9.3 eV (95% confidence level) on mν. The result is in clear disagreement with a reported value of 26(5) eV.

  • Received 6 May 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.67.957

©1991 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. G. H. Robertson, T. J. Bowles, G. J. Stephenson, Jr., D. L. Wark, and J. F. Wilkerson

  • Physics Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545

D. A. Knapp

  • Physics Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550

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Vol. 67, Iss. 8 — 19 August 1991

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