Addendum to: Model-dependent and -independent implications of the first Sudbury Neutrino Observatory results

In the light of recent experimental and theoretical improvements, we review our previous model-independent comparison [hep-ph/0106247] of the Super-Kamiokande (SK) and Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) solar neutrino event rates, including updated values for the ``equalized'' SK datum and for the reference Standard Solar Model (SSM) B neutrino flux. We find that the joint SK+SNO evidence for active neutrino flavor transitions is confirmed at the level of 3.3 standard deviations, independently of possible transitions to sterile states. Barring sterile neutrinos, we estimate the 3-sigma range for the $^8$B neutrino flux (normalized to SSM) as f_B=0.96 +0.54-0.55. Accordingly, the 3-sigma range for the energy-averaged nu_e survival probability is found to be = 0.31 +0.55-0.16, independently of the functional form of P_ee. An increase of the reference nu_e + d --> p + p + e cross section by ~3%, as suggested by recent theoretical calculations, would slightly shift the central values of f_B and of to ~1.00 and ~0.29, respectively, and would strengthen the model-independent evidence for nu_e transitions into active states at the level of ~3.6 sigma.Comment: 6 pages + 2 figures. Addendum to hep-ph/010624

Supernova neutrinos: Strong coupling effects of weak interactions

In core-collapse supernovae, neutrinos and antineutrinos are initially subject to significant self-interactions induced by weak neutral currents, which may induce strong-coupling effects on the flavor evolution (collective transitions). The interpretation of the effects is simplified when self-induced collective transitions are decoupled from ordinary matter oscillations, as for the matter density profile that we discuss. In this case, approximate analytical tools can be used (pendulum analogy, swap of energy spectra). For inverted neutrino mass hierarchy, the sequence of effects involves: synchronization, bipolar oscillations, and spectral split. Our simulations shows that the main features of these regimes are not altered when passing from simplified (angle-averaged) treatments to full, multi-angle numerical experiments.Comment: Proceedings of NO-VE 2008, IV International Workshop on "Neutrino Oscillations in Venice" (Venice, Italy, April 15-18, 2008), edited by M. Baldo Ceolin (University of Padova publication, Papergraf Editions, Padova, Italy, 2008), pages 233-24

Global analysis of three-flavor neutrino masses and mixings

We present a comprehensive phenomenological analysis of a vast amount of data from neutrino flavor oscillation and non-oscillation searches, performed within the standard scenario with three massive and mixed neutrinos, and with particular attention to subleading effects. The detailed results discussed in this review represent a state-of-the-art, accurate and up-to-date (as of August 2005) estimate of the three-neutrino mass-mixing parameters.Comment: Final version (including a new Appendix), to be published in "Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics". Higher-resolution pdf file and eps figures can be download from http://www.ba.infn.it/~now2004/PPNP_review

Massive Quantum Memories by Periodically Inverted Dynamic Evolutions

We introduce a general scheme to realize perfect quantum state reconstruction and storage in systems of interacting qubits. This novel approach is based on the idea of controlling the residual interactions by suitable external controls that, acting on the inter-qubit couplings, yield time-periodic inversions in the dynamical evolution, thus cancelling exactly the effects of quantum state diffusion. We illustrate the method for spin systems on closed rings with XY residual interactions, showing that it enables the massive storage of arbitrarily large numbers of local states, and we demonstrate its robustness against several realistic sources of noise and imperfections.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. Contribution to the Proceedings of the Workshop on "Quantum entanglement in physical and information sciences", held in Pisa, December 14-18, 200

Mantle geoneutrinos in KamLAND and Borexino

The KamLAND and Borexino experiments have observed, each at ~4 sigma level, signals of electron antineutrinos produced in the decay chains of thorium and uranium in the Earth's crust and mantle (Th and U geoneutrinos). Various pieces of geochemical and geophysical information allow an estimation of the crustal geoneutrino flux components with relatively small uncertainties. The mantle component may then be inferred by subtracting the estimated crustal flux from the measured total flux. To this purpose, we analyze in detail the experimental Th and U geoneutrino event rates in KamLAND and Borexino, including neutrino oscillation effects. We estimate the crustal flux at the two detector sites, using state-of-the-art information about the Th and U distribution on global and local scales. We find that crust-subtracted signals show hints of a residual mantle component, emerging at ~2.4 sigma level by combining the KamLAND and Borexino data. The inferred mantle flux slightly favors scenarios with relatively high Th and U abundances, within +-1 sigma uncertainties comparable to the spread of predictions from recent mantle models.Comment: Slight changes and improvements in the text & figures. Results unchanged. To appear in Phys. Rev.

The Higgs Boson Mass from Precision Electroweak Data

We present a new global fit to precision electroweak data, including new low- and high-energy data and analyzing the radiative corrections arising from the minimal symmetry breaking sectors of the Standard Model (SM) and its supersymmetric extension (MSSM). It is shown that present data favor a Higgs mass of O(M_Z): M_H = 76+152-50 GeV. We confront our analysis with (meta)stability and perturbative bounds on the SM Higgs mass, and the theoretical upper bound on the MSSM Higgs mass. Present data do not discriminate significantly between the SM and MSSM Higgs mass ranges. We comment in passing on the sensitivity of the Higgs mass determination to the values of alpha(M_Z) and alpha_s(M_Z).Comment: 10 pages, latex, 8 figures as uu-encoded postscript fil

Four-neutrino oscillation solutions of the atmospheric neutrino anomaly

In the context of neutrino scenarios characterized by four (three active plus one sterile) neutrino species and by mass spectra with two separated doublets, we analyze solutions to the atmospheric neutrino anomaly which smoothly interpolate between \nu_\mu-->\nu_\tau and \nu_\mu-->\nu_s oscillations. We show that, although the Super-Kamiokande data disfavor the pure \nu_\mu-->\nu_s channel, they do not exclude its occurrence, with sizable amplitude, in addition to the \nu_\mu-->\nu_\tau channel. High energy muon data appear to be crucial in assessing the relative amplitude of active and sterile neutrino oscillations. It is also qualitatively shown that such atmospheric \nu solutions are compatible with analogous solutions to the solar neutrino problem, which involve oscillations of \nu_e in both sterile and active states.Comment: Added references. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.