Direct comparison of sterile neutrino constraints from cosmological data, $$\nu _{e}$$ disappearance data and $$\nu _{\mu } \rightarrow \nu _{e} $$ appearance data in a $$3+1$$ model

Abstract

We present a quantitative, direct comparison of constraints on sterile neutrinos derived from neutrino oscillation experiments and from Planck data, interpreted assuming standard cosmological evolution. We extend a $$1+1$$1+1 model, which is used to compare exclusion contours at the 95% Cl derived from Planck data to those from $$\nu _{e}$$νe-disappearance measurements, to a $$3+1$$3+1 model. This allows us to compare the Planck constraints with those obtained through $$\nu _{\mu }\rightarrow \nu _{e}$$νμ→νe appearance searches, which are sensitive to more than one active-sterile mixing angle. We find that the cosmological data fully exclude the allowed regions published by the LSND, MiniBooNE and Neutrino-4 collaborations, and those from the gallium and rector anomalies, at the 95% Cl. Compared to the exclusion region from the Daya Bay $$\nu _{e}$$νe-disappearance search, the Planck data are more strongly excluding above $$|\Delta m^{2}_{41}|\approx 0.1\,\mathrm {eV}^{2}$$|Δm412|≈0.1eV2 and $$m_\mathrm {eff}^\mathrm {sterile}\approx 0.2\,\mathrm {eV}$$meffsterile≈0.2eV, with the Daya Bay exclusion being stronger below these values. Compared to the combined Daya Bay/Bugey/MINOS exclusion region on $$\nu _{\mu }\rightarrow \nu _{e}$$νμ→νe appearance, the Planck data is more strongly excluding above $$\Delta m^{2}_{41}\approx 5\times 10^{-2}\,\mathrm {eV}^{2}$$Δm412≈5×10-2eV2, with the exclusion strengths of the Planck data and the Daya Bay/Bugey/MINOS combination becoming comparable below this value.

Searching for eV-scale sterile neutrinos with eight years of atmospheric neutrinos at the IceCube Neutrino Telescope

“…The complementary ν μ → ν μ channel has been studied by various experiments, but no anomalous flavor change has been observed [67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75]. Additionally, tension also exists with cosmological observations [76][77][78][79][80][81][82], though a number of possible solutions have been proposed, such as large lepton asymmetry [83], low-reheating temperature [84], additional sources of entropy production [85], and secret neutrino interactions [86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93].…”

eV-Scale Sterile Neutrino Search Using Eight Years of Atmospheric Muon Neutrino Data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory

“…However, even at the most preferred values of Δm 2 ∼ 1 eV 2 , the mixing angles required to viably explain anomalies in the ν μ → ν e and ν μ →ν e channels are in strong tension with measurements of ν μ andν μ disappearance [11,45]. These are also in tension with cosmological observations [46][47][48][49][50][51][52], though a number of possible solutions have been proposed [53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. Evidence for oscillation effects beyond the three-neutrino paradigm inν μ disappearance are yet to be observed [45].…”

Requirements on common solutions to the LSND and MiniBooNE excesses: a post-MicroBooNE study

“…They can, thus, potentially reconcile the discrepancy between these measurements [83][84][85]. The mass and mixing ranges integral to the simple vacuum oscillation proposals in category a), however, are found to be in strong tension [55][56][57] with those required for this reconciliation. A possible resolution entails the existence of new "secret" interactions between neutrinos [86,87].…”

“…• With respect to the sterile-active oscillation proposals in category a) above, it has become evident over time that sterile neutrinos which can account for appearance data in short baseline experiments like LSND and MB are in very significant tension with ν µ disappearance data. Additionally, such neutrinos, which only interact due to mixing with SM neutrinos, must contend with stiff constraints from cosmological data [55][56][57]. For a discussion and complete references for this very active field, the reader is referred to the review articles [8,[58][59][60][61][62].…”