Neutrinos are the only fermions in the Standard Model that solely participate in weak interactions. They act as dual information carriers integrating particle physics and astrophysics, serving as core messengers linking microscopic fundamental interactions and the macroscopic evolution of the universe.
In this systematic review, Daniel Lee, Member of the Neutrino Energy Group Committee, covers the full landscape of neutrino research — from theoretical foundations to cutting-edge experimental results and interdisciplinary frontiers.
Theoretical Framework
The paper elaborates on the PMNS flavor mixing mechanism, MSW matter effect and the seesaw theory for neutrino mass generation, and summarizes the global fitting precision of the three mixing angles and two mass squared differences.
Experimental Detection
From precise solar neutrino measurements by Borexino to calibration of reactor and accelerator neutrino oscillation parameters at Daya Bay, and high-energy neutrino detection by IceCube — the review covers the complete experimental spectrum and analyzes the technical routes and performance complementarity of the global detection network.
Astrophysical Sources
The paper analyzes neutrino generation mechanisms of active galactic nuclei, supernova explosions, neutron star mergers, and tidal disruption events. It reviews cutting-edge observational achievements including IceCube's identification of NGC 1068 as a neutrino source and high-energy neutrino imaging of the Galactic plane.
Interdisciplinary Correlation System
Based on a comprehensive perspective of fundamental physics, the paper divides fundamental physics into ten research branches and constructs an interdisciplinary correlation system between neutrino physics and various disciplines — clarifying the pivotal role of neutrinos in the fundamental science system.
The review concludes with an assessment of core unsolved scientific problems and prospects for neutrino mass ordering determination, CP violation measurement and next-generation neutrino telescopes.
