Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Ultrahigh-energy neutrino event KM3-230213A as a signal of electroweak vacuum turbulence in merging black hole binaries

    Alexander S. Sakharov1,2,*, Rostislav Konoplich1,3,†, and Merab Gogberashvili4,5,‡

    • 1Department of Mathematics and Physics, Manhattan University, 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, New York 10471, USA
    • 2Experimental Physics Department, CERN, CH-1211 Genève 23, Switzerland
    • 3Department of Physics, New York University, 726 Broadway, New York, New York 10003, USA
    • 4Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
    • 5Department of High Energy Physics, Andronikashvili Institute of Physics, Tbilisi 0177, Georgia

    • *Contact author: alexandre.sakharov@cern.ch
    • †Contact author: rostislav.konoplich@manhattan.edu
    • ‡Contact author: gogber@gmail.com

    Phys. Rev. D 112, 083061 – Published 31 October, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/vx8j-pxy6

    Abstract

    The recent detection of the ultrahigh-energy neutrino event KM3-230213A (∼220  PeV) by KM3NeT telescope poses a challenge to conventional astrophysical models, particularly in light of the absence of similar ≳100  PeV events in IceCube data, despite its larger exposure. We propose a novel mechanism in which binary black hole mergers act as transient neutrino sources via gravitationally induced electroweak vacuum instability. In this scenario, the extreme spacetime curvature near the horizons during the final inspiral phase destabilizes the Higgs vacuum, triggering nucleation of true-vacuum bubbles. Collisions between these bubbles produce microscopic black holes that rapidly evaporate via Hawking radiation, emitting intense, short-lived bursts of neutrinos with energies exceeding 100 PeV. The resulting neutrino fluence follows a heavy-tailed distribution, allowing rare but highly luminous sources to account for events like KM3-230213A while remaining consistent with IceCube’s nondetections. This framework links gravitational wave sources to ultrahigh-energy neutrino production and suggests that future multimessenger observations may detect electromagnetic signatures from microscopic black hole evaporation.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation