Time-Energy Uncertainty in Neutrino Resonance: Quest for the Limit of Validity of Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

The role of quantum mechanical time-energy uncertainty (TEU) is central in resonant neutrino (nue) reactions (3H to 3He to 3H) because of the unusual 18 y lifetime of 3H. The TEU explicitly manifests itself by a non-intuitive but quantitatively predictable spontaneous temporal growth of the nue resonance signal. A slower growth rate signifies violation of TEU via a larger than natural width of 3H, possibly imposed by a fundamental length in nature. Strong limits on TEU violation can be set in the unprobed virgin energy regime of ~10-24 eV.