3,849 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
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
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2008 (unpublished)].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
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
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
Observables sensitive to absolute neutrino masses: A reappraisal after WMAP-3y and first MINOS results
In the light of recent neutrino oscillation and non-oscillation data, we
revisit the phenomenological constraints applicable to three observables
sensitive to absolute neutrino masses: The effective neutrino mass in single
beta decay (m_beta); the effective Majorana neutrino mass in neutrinoless
double beta decay (m_2beta); and the sum of neutrino masses in cosmology
(Sigma). In particular, we include the constraints coming from the first Main
Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search (MINOS) data and from the Wilkinson
Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) three-year (3y) data, as well as other
relevant cosmological data and priors. We find that the largest neutrino
squared mass difference is determined with a 15% accuracy (at 2-sigma) after
adding MINOS to world data. We also find upper bounds on the sum of neutrino
masses Sigma ranging from ~2 eV (WMAP-3y data only) to ~0.2 eV (all
cosmological data) at 2-sigma, in agreement with previous studies. In addition,
we discuss the connection of such bounds with those placed on the matter power
spectrum normalization parameter sigma_8. We show how the partial degeneracy
between Sigma and sigma_8 in WMAP-3y data is broken by adding further
cosmological data, and how the overall preference of such data for relatively
high values of sigma_8 pushes the upper bound of Sigma in the sub-eV range.
Finally, for various combination of data sets, we revisit the (in)compatibility
between current Sigma and m_2beta constraints (and claims), and derive
quantitative predictions for future single and double beta decay experiments.Comment: 18 pages, including 7 figure
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
Serosurvey of schmallenberg virus infection in sheep in Abruzzo, Italy : short report
Infection with Schmallenberg virus (SBV) causes congenital musculoskeletal and vertebral malformations as well as neurological failures in fetuses of several ruminant species. In this study 1038 sheep samples from 10 flocks in the provinces of Chieti, Teramo and Pescara in Italy have been tested for antibodies against SBV by ELISA test. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the extent of SBV infections in sheep in Italy. The results of the ELISA test identified at least one positive animal in 9 of the 10 sheep flocks tested, and a mean within-flock prevalence of 8.57%. Furthermore, large variability of positive animals between flocks was observed (0 and 42.5%). These results demonstrate that SBV was endemic in this region and there could be is a risk of novel SBV infections in the following lambing season, raising serious concerns about its so rapid and pervasive spread
- …