Three-flavor MSW solutions of the solar neutrino problem

Dec, 1999
33 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 62 (2000) 013002
e-Print:
Report number:
  • BARI-TH-365-99

Citations per year

199920032007201120130102030405060
Abstract:
We perform an updated phenomenological analysis of the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein (MSW) solutions of the solar neutrino problem, assuming oscillations between two and three neutrino families. The analysis includes the total rates of the Homestake, SAGE, GALLEX, Kamiokande and Super-Kamiokande experiments, as well as the day-night asymmetry and the 18-bin energy spectrum of Super-Kamiokande. Solutions are found at several values of the theta_{13} mixing angle. Among the most interesting features, we find that solar neutrino data alone put the constraint theta_{13} < 55--59 deg at 95% C.L., and that a fraction of the MSW solutions extends at and beyond maximal (nu_1,nu_2) mixing (theta_{12} > pi/4), especially if the neutrino square mass splitting is in its lower range (m^2_2-m^2_1 ~ 10^{-7} eV^2) and if theta_{13} is nonzero. In particular, bimaximal (or nearly bimaximal) mixing is possible for atmospheric and MSW solar neutrino oscillations within the stringent reactor bounds on theta_{13}.
  • neutrino: solar
  • neutrino: flux
  • neutrino: oscillation
  • neutrino: flavor
  • flavor: 3
  • flavor: 2
  • MSW effect
  • neutrino: mixing angle
  • statistical analysis
  • neutrino: cosmic radiation