Neutrino oscillation and tritium beta decay experiments taken simultaneously into account are able to access the so far imperceptible absolute neutrino masses at the electronvolt level. The neutrino mass spectrum derived in this way is independent of the nature of neutrinos (Dirac or Majorana). Furthermore, the lack of neutrinoless double beta decay gives additional constraints on the Majorana neutrino mass spectrum. A case of three neutrinos is examined. The influence of different solutions to the solar neutrino deficit problem on the results is discussed. Apart from the present situation, four qualitatively distinct experimental situations which are possible in the future are investigated: when the two decay experiments give only upper bounds on effective neutrino masses, when either one of them gives a positive result, and when both give positive results. The discussion is carried out by taking into account the present experimental errors of relevant neutrino parameters as well as their much more precise expected estimations (e.g., by ν factories). It is shown in which cases the upgraded decay experiments simultaneously with neutrino oscillation data may be able to fix the absolute scale of the neutrino mass spectrum, answer the question of the neutrino nature, and put some light on CP phases in the lepton sector.

• Received 20 July 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.65.053008