Determination of Absolute Neutrino Masses from Bursts ofZBosons in Cosmic Rays

Abstract
Ultrahigh energy neutrinos (UHEν) scatter on relic neutrinos (Rν) producing Z bosons, which can decay hadronically producing protons (Z burst). We compare the predicted proton spectrum with the observed ultrahigh energy cosmic ray (UHECR) spectrum and determine the mass of the heaviest Rν via a maximum likelihood analysis. Our prediction depends on the origin of the powerlike part of the UHECR spectrum: mν=2.750.97+1.28eV for Galactic halo and 0.260.14+0.20eV for extragalactic origin. The necessary UHEν flux should be detected in the near future.