Abstract:

Neutrino oscillation experiments performed throughout the latter half of the twentieth century have yielded valuable information about the nature of neutrino masses and mixings. The data gathered has provided the first positive evidence for physics beyond the standard model. As the next century begins, new neutrino experiments will provide greater insight into the properties of neutrinos. This talk will discuss how tritium beta decay experiments can contribute to our knowledge of neutrino masses, cosmology, and physics beyond the Standard Model. The talk will concentrate on two specific tritium beta decay experiments - KATRIN and Project 8 - and the role they will play in the near future.