Elusive Neutrino

'Where, in quantum mechanics, is “here”? The theory arose out of attempts to understand how atoms and molecules interact with light and other radiation, phenomena that classical physics couldn’t explain. Quantum theory was empirically motivated, and its rules were simply ones that seemed to fit what was observed. It uses mathematical formulas that, while tried and trusted, were essentially pulled out of a hat by the pioneers of the theory in the early 20th century.'

The above quote extracted from Quantum Theory Rebuilt From Simple Physical Principles, nicely summarizes the perplexed state in which I have found myself for years. The article was written Phillip Ball, contributing writer to QuantaMagazine.

On an allied subject: Professor Nicholas Solomey of Wichita State University spoke on "Developing a Neutrino Spacecraft to the Sun with NASA MSFC" last Wednesday, with Hunky Husband and me in attendance at the weekly physics symposium. [BTW: MSFC = Marshall Space Flight Center]

During Nick's talk, I recognized that much of the information is contained in his book, The Elusive Neutrino: A Subatomic Detective Story. As a result, I have begun re-reading the book. For whatever reason, I find that the book (well...at least the first three chapters) makes more sense to me than it did upon first reading, 10 years ago. Have I gotten smarter with age? (Oh, yeah, that's obviously happened!)

 Slide from a presentation by Professor Nick Solomey, at Galaxy Forum Kansas 2013

Comments

[Ole Phat Stu]

Those are interesting links, CC. Excellent.Excellent. Thankyou :-)

Now I'll have to go read that book :-)

[Cop Car]

Glad you like the links, Stu. Another good book, this one from the UK: Quantum: A Guide for the Perplexed by Jim Al-Khalili (I may already have guided you to it or, at least mentioned it.)

[Ingineer66]

Sounds interesting, but far over my head. About all I know about Neutrinos is that they are hard to find and I think there was an experiment looking for them at the hydropower plant deep under Oroville Dam. We took a field trip there in college and they pointed it out.

[Ingineer66]

I guess it is no longer there. http://today.lbl.gov/2014/04/25/low-background-counting-facility-moves-to-sanford-underground-research-facility/

[Ole Phat Stu]

Unfortunately there was no neutrino detector (like the big one in Japan) along the path of totality of the recent USA solar eclipse. Otherwise it would have been interesting to look for lunar neutrino occultation, getting a tomograph of the moon's interior :-(