Russia Conducts Most Accurate-ever Neutrino Mass Study

The most accurate in the world assessment of the neutrino mass has been conducted in Russia, reported on Tuesday the experiment supervisor Vladimir Labashev at a sitting of the presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Labashev, of the Nuclear Research Institute, is the Academy's corresponding member. Neutrino is the most mysterious of the known elementary particles, of which matter consists. Although the accuracy of research has increased by hundreds of times in the last 50 years, the neutrino mass has not yet been precisely measured, said Labashev. A breakthrough in this field is connected with the work of researchers from the Nuclear Research Institute, which has been attacking the problem since 1982. Labashev and his staffers boast the most precise neutrino-mass appraisal. It does not exceed 2.2 electron-volt /in this unit in physics is measured the mass of elementary particles/. For comparison's sake, the mass of electron is 0.5 million electron-volt, said the researcher. Neutrino physics is blossoming forth, noted Academician Valeri Rubakov. The new knowledge of this particle will shed light not only on processes going on the Sun and stars, but can provide an answer to the question of what the Universe is made. Assessment of the neutrino mass is an outstanding achievement, believes Academician-Secretary Alexander Skrinski of the nuclear physics sector at the Russian Academy of Sciences. He recalled that Vladimir Labashev is long known for his superprecise and superfine experiments. A more powerful plant for further research into the neutrino mass according to the Russian method is created in Kalsruhe /Germany/ with active participation of Vladimir Labashev and his team.