Neutrinos, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1988 Coll. Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics

Neutrinos play a fundamental role in the latest particle physics theories, such as Grand Unified Theories, theories of supersymmetry, and superstring theory. Their mass yields an important boundary condition for grand unification models. They are the best candidates for dark matter in the universe, and their mass could determine its large scale structure and evolution. Neutrinos probe the interior of collapsing stars, and understanding them may lead to a solution of the solar neutrino problem. In ten chapters written by experts in each of these fields this book gives a comprehensive presentation of our current knowledge of the neutrino, of its role in nuclear particle and astrophysics theories, and of ongoing experimental efforts to learn more about its own nature. Graduate students and researchers in these fields will find this book a reliable advanced text and source of reference.

Neutrino Properties.- Neutrino Reactions and the Structure of the Neutral Weak Current.- Massive Neutrinos in Gauge Theories.- Neutrinos in Left-Right Symmetric, SO(10) and Superstring Inspired Models.- Double Beta Decay Experiments and Searches for Dark Matter Candidates and Solar Axions.- Double Beta Decay, Neutrino Mass and Nuclear Structure.- Neutrino Oscillations in Vacuum and Matter.- Searches for Lepton-Flavour Violation.- Neutrino Physics and Supernovae: What have we learned from SN 1987A?.- Neutrinos in Cosmology.- Index of Contributors.