Using supernova neutrinos to monitor the collapse, to search for gravity waves and to probe neutrino masses

We discuss the importance of observing supernova neutrinos. By analyzing the SN1987A observations of Kamiokande-II, IMB and Baksan, we show that they provide a 2.5{\sigma} support to the standard scenario for the explosion. We discuss in this context the use of neutrinos as trigger for the search of the gravity wave impulsive emission. We derive a bound on the neutrino mass using the SN1987A data and argue, using simulated data, that a future galactic supernova could probe the sub-eV region.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure. Proceeding for the Galileo-Xu Guangqi meeting: The Sun, the Stars, the Universe and General Relativity; October 26-30, 2009, Shanghai (China). Accepted for publication at International Journal of Modern Physics

Atmospheric neutrinos in a Large Liquid Argon detector

In view of the evaluation of the physics goals of a large Liquid Argon TPC, evolving from the ICARUS technology, we have studied the possibility of performing precision measurements on atmospheric neutrinos. For this purpose we have improved existing Monte Carlo neutrino event generators based on FLUKA and NUX by including the 3-flavor oscillation formalism and the numerical treatment of Earth matter effects. By means of these tools we have studied the sensitivity in the measurement of Theta(23) through the accurate measurement of electron neutrinos. The updated values for Delta m^2(23) from Super-Kamiokande and the mixing parameters as obtained by solar and KamLand experiments have been used as reference input, while different values of Theta(13) have been considered. An exposure larger than 500 kton yr seems necessary in order to achieve a significant result, provided that the present knowledge of systematic uncertainties is largely improved.Comment: Talk given at the worksgop "Cryogenic Liquid Detectors for Future Particle Physics", LNGS (Italy) March 13th-14th, 200

Fermion Mass Hierarchy in Lifshitz Type Gauge Theory

We study the origin of fermion mass hierarchy and flavor mixing in a Lifshitz type extension of the standard model including an extra scalar field. We show that the hierarchical structure can originate from renormalizable interactions. In contrast to the Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism, the higher the dimension of associated operators, the heavier the fermion masses. Tiny masses for left-handed neutrinos are obtained without introducing right-handed neutrinos.Comment: 13 pages; clarifications of some point

The likelihood for supernova neutrino analyses

We derive the event-by-event likelihood that allows to extract the complete information contained in the energy, time and direction of supernova neutrinos, and specify it in the case of SN1987A data. We resolve discrepancies in the previous literature, numerically relevant already in the concrete case of SN1987A data.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures. Accepted for publication in PR

On the goals of neutrino astronomy

What do we mean by neutrino astronomy? Which information is able to provide us and which is its potential? To address these questions, we discuss three among the most relevant sources of neutrinos: the Sun; the core collapse supernovae; the supernova remnants. For each of these astronomical objects, we describe the state of the art, we present the expectations and we outline the most actual problems from the point of view of neutrino astronomy