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The KATRIN experiment nearly halved the maximum possible mass for the subatomic particles.

What are Neutrinos?

• Neutrinos are electrically neutral fundamental particles under the Standard Model of particle physics.
• They are produced in natural processes such as radioactive decay and nuclear reactions in stars and the Sun.
• Notably, they interact very weakly with matter and possess extremely small mass — less than a millionth the mass of an electron.
• Their exact mass is still not directly known, making them a key area of research in modern physics.

The KATRIN Experiment

• Full Form: Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment
• Location: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
• Objective: To determine the mass of the electron antineutrino, a type of neutrino released during beta decay of tritium.
• Method: By observing the energy spectrum of electrons emitted from tritium decay, scientists infer the mass of the associated neutrino — since more massive neutrinos carry away more energy.

Latest Findings (2025)

• KATRIN has now lowered the upper limit of the neutrino mass to less than 0.45 electron volts (eV).
• This marks a ~50% improvement from its previous estimate, demonstrating enhanced precision in measurements.
• The conclusion was drawn from analysis of 36 million electrons emitted during tritium decay.