Third generation slepton mass measurements as a probe of neutrino Yukawa interactions

Abstract

Motivated by recent data from the Super-Kamiokande experiment that suggests neutrinos are massive, we investigate the capability of the next generation linear collider to probe the existence of neutrino Yukawa couplings, fν, via precision measurements of slepton masses. Assuming the see-saw framework and a hierarchical pattern of neutrino masses, we construct mass combinations to isolate the effects of the neutrino Yukawa coupling on the slepton masses. We find that these effects would be detectable if mντ can be determined with a precision of 2–3%, assuming fν=ft at Q=MGUT. Finally we discuss whether such a measurements would be possible at an e+e− linear collider.