Dr. Andrei Puiu (University of Milano-Biocca)

Measuring the neutrino mass is one of the most compelling challenges of modern physics. Neutrinos are one of the most abundant particle in the universe, yet one of the most mysterious. Since their existence was postulated in 1930 by Pauli, several experimental efforts have been made to detect them at first and subsequently, to a better understanding of the neutrino properties and nature. Today, thanks to precision reached with oscillation measurements we have established that neutrinos have a very tiny, yet larger than zero mass.

Several experiments have been performed and are being set-up in order to assess this important issue, which not only could shed light on some limits of the Standard Model of Elementary Particles, but on the evolution and on the structure of the universe as well. The direct, or kinematic, measurement of the neutrino mass is a unique tool, given that no complex theoretical model is necessary to probe the mass of the neutrino except the conservation of energy. Many experimental challenges are to be faced though, so experimentalists and theoreticians across the world are working on solving new issues in order to push the limit on the neutrino mass lower and lower, and possibly measuring this important parameter soon. I will try to give an overview of the current status of the direct measurements of the neutrino mass, with special care devoted to the spectrometric and calorimetric approach, where KATRIN, ECHO and HOLMES are operating.

Location: T125