IPPOG Resources Database

Pendulum

Author(s): Kobel, Michael, Technische Universitaet Dresden (DE)

Contact: kobel@physik.tu-dresden.de

Submitted by: lila.mabiala@cern.ch

Published: October 3, 2011

Pendulum

Exhibit Neutrino Pendulum

This is the worldwide first model of coupled pendula, which demonstrates the complete phenomenology of neutrino flavor-oscillations for 3 different neutrino species (flavors). Up until now, only models for just 2 flavors existed. The model is adjustable corresponding to variable neutrino mass differences and variable mixing parameters (PMNS angles) between the 3 flavors. Arbitrary oscillation patterns like those for solar neutrinos or atmospheric neutrinos can be simulated with any parameter settings (e.g. with the mixing angle 1-3 being zero or non-zero). Even the matter effect in the sun (MSW effect) can be simulated. The pendulum comes with an electronic USB readout which can display its movements in a scope-like manner on a PC or laptop. Drawings for building this pendulum and its readout are available from kobel@physik.tu-dresden.de . As of September 2011 copies of this pendulum have already been built e.g. in Bonn, DESY (Zeuthen), Münster, and Sussex

Topics

Matter, Particles and the Universe (Known Physics)
Neutrinos

School Topics

Nature of science
Scientific inquiry and reasoning

Online use

Yes

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