Majorana mass term for the electron

In summary, the Majorana mass term for the electron refers to a theoretical concept in particle physics where the electron could acquire mass through a mechanism that allows it to be its own antiparticle. This idea is linked to Majorana fermions, which are particles that are identical to their antiparticles. The existence of such a mass term could have implications for neutrino physics and beyond, potentially providing insights into the nature of dark matter and the underlying symmetries of the universe. However, as of now, no experimental evidence has confirmed the presence of a Majorana mass term for the electron.
  • #1
zaman786
31
6
TL;DR Summary
violation of charge conservation of Majorana mass term
hi, while studying Majorana mass term can be added for the neutrino - as they are neutral - but cannot be added for the electron -as it would violate the charge conservation - i could not understand how charge conservation for Majorana mass term of electron is violated.
kindly help
 
  • Like
Likes atyy
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field.
 
  • Like
Likes atyy
  • #3
Alternatively, just check how such a term would behave under a U(1)_EM transformation. You should find it is not invariant
 
  • Like
Likes zaman786 and atyy
  • #4
Vanadium 50 said:
Please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field.
and left handed electron field comes in doublet
 
  • #5
zaman786 said:
and left handed electron field comes in doublet
Well, it does, but you still haven't written down what I asked.
 
  • #6
Vanadium 50 said:
Well, it does, but you still haven't written down what I asked.
Majorana=1/2mψˉcψ
 
  • #7
zaman786 said:
Majorana=1/2mψˉcψ
1707939515123.png
 
  • #8
Well, after almost a week, we are almost halfway there.

Please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field.

Further, what you wrote down is NOT what the images shows.

If you're not willing to put in any work, why should I?
 
  • #9
1708056164359.png

sorry , for delay
 
  • #10
Enough is enough. I keep asking you to please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field. and you keep not doing it.

Maybe someone else will help you. I am concluding this is a waste of time. If it's not worth your time to write down the next step of the problem. it can't be worth my time to help you with the step after that.
 
  • Skeptical
Likes weirdoguy
  • #11
I think they believe they have done what you ask. It would seem to be a problem of ability rather than refusal. But maybe that’s just my reading.

The really simple thing to do though is to look at the terms here:

zaman786 said:
View attachment 340396
sorry , for delay
and do a U(1)_EM transformation. Since the electron is charged under EM, this will mean ##\psi_{eL} \to e^{i\phi} \psi_{eL}## for some ##\phi##. Then the OP should be able to answer the question ”is the Majorana mass term invariant?”
 
  • Like
Likes ohwilleke and weirdoguy
  • #12
kindly see my working - in attached file
 

Attachments

  • majorana mass term for electron.pdf
    503.9 KB · Views: 39
  • #13
actually , i am struggling in this field - and i am in isolation - but trying to proceed -
 

Attachments

  • majorana mass term for electron.pdf
    503.9 KB · Views: 27
  • #14
Vanadium 50 said:
Enough is enough. I keep asking you to please write down the Majorana mass term, and identify its elements - e.g. this is a left-handed electron field. and you keep not doing it.

Maybe someone else will help you. I am concluding this is a waste of time. If it's not worth your time to write down the next step of the problem. it can't be worth my time to help you with the step after that.
 

Attachments

  • majorana mass term for electron.pdf
    503.9 KB · Views: 36
  • #15
i am trying - but thanks for your reply
 
  • #16
I don't think you understand what any of the terms mean - that's why you can't answer my hint.question, and that's why you still have questions after a perfectly good answer has been posted twice. You need to back up a few chapters and learn what the terms you are writing down mean.

You might also want to tale the time to learn to post equations here. PDFs of scribblings are not helpful/
 
  • Like
Likes zaman786
  • #17
th
Vanadium 50 said:
I don't think you understand what any of the terms mean - that's why you can't answer my hint.question, and that's why you still have questions after a perfectly good answer has been posted twice. You need to back up a few chapters and learn what the terms you are writing down mean.

You might also want to tale the time to learn to post equations here. PDFs of scribblings are not helpful/
thanks for your guidance- i have books on particle - but i will appreciate if you recommend some -
 

FAQ: Majorana mass term for the electron

What is a Majorana mass term for the electron?

A Majorana mass term for the electron would imply that the electron is its own antiparticle. In the context of quantum field theory, this would mean that the electron could have a mass term that does not distinguish between particles and antiparticles, unlike the usual Dirac mass term.

Why is the Majorana mass term significant in particle physics?

The Majorana mass term is significant because it introduces the possibility that neutrinos could be Majorana particles, which has implications for understanding the nature of neutrino masses and the overall symmetry properties of the universe. For electrons, however, no evidence currently supports the existence of a Majorana mass term.

What are the implications if the electron had a Majorana mass term?

If the electron had a Majorana mass term, it would fundamentally change our understanding of charge conservation and the nature of fermions. It could lead to new physics beyond the Standard Model and potentially provide insights into the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe.

Can the Standard Model accommodate a Majorana mass term for the electron?

The Standard Model of particle physics does not naturally accommodate a Majorana mass term for the electron. The electron is treated as a Dirac particle with distinct particle and antiparticle states. Introducing a Majorana mass term would require an extension or modification of the Standard Model.

Are there any experimental evidences for a Majorana mass term for the electron?

As of now, there is no experimental evidence supporting the existence of a Majorana mass term for the electron. Experiments and observations consistently describe the electron as a Dirac particle. However, research continues in the broader context of neutrinos and other particles to explore the possibility of Majorana characteristics.

Back
Top