Confronting the stochastic neutrino mixing mechanism with the sterile neutrino hypothesis as a solution to the short baseline neutrino anomalies

Author(s)

Zavanin, E. M. ; Guzzo, M. M. ; de Holanda, P. C. ; Peres, O. L. G.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Physical Review D; v. 91, n. 11, p. 6-pg., 2015-06-16.

Abstract

We compare the solutions to the short baseline neutrino anomaly based on oscillations to sterile neutrinos and the stochastic neutrino mixing mechanism (SNMM) through an analysis of the present neutrino data. The SNMM suggests worse fits than a 3 + 1 sterile neutrino model, although it cannot be discarded by present data. We propose an experiment to distinguish between both solutions, based on placing a Li-8 source inside a 5 kton-yr detector (like SNO). We studied the sensitivity of such an experiment, which makes it possible to discriminate within 2 sigma the SNMM from the 3 + 1 sterile hypothesis for some particular values of the relevant parameters in 5 kton-yr of running. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02518-7 - Extended Pontecorvo mechanism
• Grantee: Eduardo Marcio Zavanin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/23980-3 - Studying non-standard interactions and the anomalies
• Grantee: Eduardo Marcio Zavanin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/16389-1 - Neutrino phenomenology
• Grantee: Orlando Luis Goulart Peres
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants