43 research outputs found
Neutrino mass and mixing parameters: A short review
We present a brief review of the current status of neutrino mass and mixing
parameters, based on a comprehensive phenomenological analysis of neutrino
oscillation and non-oscillation searches, within the standard three-neutrino
mixing framework.Comment: 11 pages, including 7 figures. Presented at the 40th Rencontres de
Moriond on Electroweak Interactions and Unified Theories, La Thuile, Aosta
Valley, Italy, 5-12 Mar 200
Evidence of theta(13)>0 from global neutrino data analysis
The neutrino mixing angle theta(13) is at the focus of current neutrino
research. From a global analysis of the available oscillation data in a
3-neutrino framework, we previously reported [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 141801
(2008)] hints in favor of theta(13)>0 at the 90 % C.L. Such hints are
consistent with the recent indications of nu(mu)-->nu(e) appearance in the T2K
and MINOS long-baseline accelerator experiments. Our global analysis of all the
available data currently provides >3 sigma evidence for nonzero theta(13), with
1-sigma ranges sin^2 theta(13) = 0.021+-0.007 or 0.025+-0.007, depending on
reactor neutrino flux systematics. Updated ranges are also reported for the
other 3-neutrino oscillation parameters (delta m^2, sin^2 theta(12)) and (Delta
m^2, sin^2 theta(23)).Comment: Slightly revised text; results unchanged. To appear in Phys. Rev.
Combined analysis of KamLAND and Borexino neutrino signals from Th and U decays in the Earth's interior
The KamLAND and Borexino experiments have detected electron antineutrinos
produced in the decay chains of natural thorium and uranium (Th and U
geoneutrinos). We analyze the energy spectra of current geoneutrino data in
combination with solar and long-baseline reactor neutrino data, with
marginalized three-neutrino oscillation parameters. We consider the case with
unconstrained Th and U event rates in KamLAND and Borexino, as well as cases
with fewer degrees of freedom, as obtained by successively assuming for both
experiments a common Th/U ratio, a common scaling of Th+U event rates, and a
chondritic Th/U value. In combination, KamLAND and Borexino can reject the null
hypothesis (no geoneutrino signal) at 5 sigma. Interesting bounds or
indications emerge on the Th+U geoneutrino rates and on the Th/U ratio, in
broad agreement with typical Earth model expectations. Conversely, the results
disfavor the hypothesis of a georeactor in the Earth's core, if its power
exceeds a few TW. The interplay of KamLAND and Borexino geoneutrino data is
highlighted.Comment: 12 pages, including 6 figure
Observables sensitive to absolute neutrino masses. II
In this followup to Phys. Rev. D 75, 053001 (2007) [arXiv:hep-ph/0608060] we
report updated constraints on neutrino mass-mixing parameters, in light of
recent neutrino oscillation data (KamLAND, SNO, and MINOS) and cosmological
observations (WMAP 5-year and other data). We discuss their interplay with the
final 0nu2beta decay results in 76-Ge claimed by part of the Heidelberg-Moscow
Collaboration, using recent evaluations of the corresponding nuclear matrix
elements, and their uncertainties. We also comment on the 0nu2beta limits in
130-Te recently set by Cuoricino, and on prospective limits or signals from the
KATRIN experiment.Comment: Final version for PRD. Includes one more cosmological dataset
(CMB+LSS) in Table II and in Fig. 3. Title slightly changed in journa
Hints of theta_13>0 from global neutrino data analysis
Nailing down the unknown neutrino mixing angle theta_13 is one of the most
important goals in current lepton physics. In this context, we perform a global
analysis of neutrino oscillation data, focusing on theta_13, and including
recent results [Neutrino 2008, Proceedings of the XXIII International
Conference on Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics, Christchurch, New Zealand,
2008 (unpublished)]. We discuss two converging hints of theta_13>0, each at the
level of ~1sigma: an older one coming from atmospheric neutrino data, and a
newer one coming from the combination of solar and long-baseline reactor
neutrino data. Their combination provides the global estimate sin^2(theta_13) =
0.016 +- 0.010 (1sigma), implying a preference for \theta_13>0 with
non-negligible statistical significance (~90% C.L.). We discuss possible
refinements of the experimental data analyses, which might sharpen such
intriguing indication.Comment: Minor changes in the text. Matches published version in PR
Global analysis of neutrino masses, mixings and phases: entering the era of leptonic CP violation searches
We perform a global analysis of neutrino oscillation data, including
high-precision measurements of the neutrino mixing angle theta_13 at reactor
experiments, which have confirmed previous indications in favor of theta_13>0.
Recent data presented at the Neutrino 2012 Conference are also included. We
focus on the correlations between theta_13 and the mixing angle theta_23, as
well as between theta_13 and the neutrino CP-violation phase delta. We find
interesting indications for theta_23< pi/4 and possible hints for delta ~ pi,
with no significant difference between normal and inverted mass hierarchy.Comment: Updated version, including recent data released at the Neutrino 2012
Conference. Some references adde
Golden Ratio Prediction for Solar Neutrino Mixing
It has recently been speculated that the solar neutrino mixing angle is
connected to the golden ratio phi. Two such proposals have been made, cot
theta_{12} = phi and cos theta_{12} = phi/2. We compare these Ansatze and
discuss a model leading to cos theta_{12} = phi/2 based on the dihedral group
D_{10}. This symmetry is a natural candidate because the angle in the
expression cos theta_{12} = phi/2 is simply pi/5, or 36 degrees. This is the
exterior angle of a decagon and D_{10} is its rotational symmetry group. We
also estimate radiative corrections to the golden ratio predictions.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure. Matches published versio
Geo-neutrinos: A systematic approach to uncertainties and correlations
Geo-neutrinos emitted by heat-producing elements (U, Th and K) represent a
unique probe of the Earth interior. The characterization of their fluxes is
subject, however, to rather large and highly correlated uncertainties. The
geochemical covariance of the U, Th and K abundances in various Earth
reservoirs induces positive correlations among the associated geo-neutrino
fluxes, and between these and the radiogenic heat. Mass-balance constraints in
the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) tend instead to anti-correlate the radiogenic
element abundances in complementary reservoirs. Experimental geo-neutrino
observables may be further (anti)correlated by instrumental effects. In this
context, we propose a systematic approach to covariance matrices, based on the
fact that all the relevant geo-neutrino observables and constraints can be
expressed as linear functions of the U, Th and K abundances in the Earth's
reservoirs (with relatively well-known coefficients). We briefly discuss here
the construction of a tentative "geo-neutrino source model" (GNSM) for the U,
Th, and K abundances in the main Earth reservoirs, based on selected
geophysical and geochemical data and models (when available), on plausible
hypotheses (when possible), and admittedly on arbitrary assumptions (when
unavoidable). We use then the GNSM to make predictions about several
experiments ("forward approach"), and to show how future data can constrain - a
posteriori - the error matrix of the model itself ("backward approach"). The
method may provide a useful statistical framework for evaluating the impact and
the global consistency of prospective geo-neutrino measurements and Earth
models.Comment: 17 pages, including 4 figures. To appear on "Earth, Moon, and
Planets," Special Issue on "Neutrino Geophysics," Proceedings of Neutrino
Science 2005 (Honolulu, Hawaii, Dec. 2005
Where we are on : addendum to "Global neutrino data and recent reactor fluxes: status of three-flavour oscillation parameters"
In this addendum to arXiv:1103.0734 we consider the recent results from
long-baseline searches at the T2K and MINOS experiments and
investigate their implications for the mixing angle and the
leptonic Dirac CP phase . By combining the indication for a
non-zero value of coming from T2K data with global neutrino
oscillation data we obtain a significance for of about
with best fit points for normal
(inverted) neutrino mass ordering. These results depend somewhat on assumptions
concerning the analysis of reactor neutrino data.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures and 1 tabl