Physics Theory Seminar with Shun Saito on Neutrino Masses

The fact that neutrinos have non-zero mass is a sign of physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. Interestingly, the most stringent (but model dependent) upper-bound on the total neutrino masses is obtained by cosmological observations at the level of 0.1-0.2eV at 95%C.L. That is, we are reaching the minimum value, 0.1eV, of the inverted hierarchy. In this talk, I would like to review how we are able to constrain the neutrino masses from cosmological observations, and then to discuss my personal view of the challenges and prospects within a next decade. In particular, I am going to focus on the role of galaxy redshift surveys such as Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment. In addition, I will briefly talk about our novel structure formation simulation with neutrinos which is based on solving the Vlasov equations on a six dimensional grid in phase space. 

Post-docs and students' Q&A with the speaker starts at 2:15 pm.