Searching for Beyond the Standard Model Physics with COHERENT Energy and Timing Data

Area of Science:

• Particle Physics
• Beyond Standard Model Physics

Background:

• The Standard Model of particle physics describes fundamental particles and forces.
• Searches for physics beyond the Standard Model are crucial for understanding the universe.
• Light mediators are hypothetical particles that could explain observed phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

• To search for evidence of new physics beyond the Standard Model.
• To investigate the existence of light mediators using experimental data.

Main Methods:

• Combined energy and timing data from the COHERENT Collaboration.
• Focused on light, sub-GeV mediators.
• Accounted for uncertainties in experimental backgrounds and nuclear structure.

Main Results:

• Data favor a mediator in the 10-1000 MeV range at the ≲2σ level compared to the Standard Model best fit.
• The best-fit coupling range for the mediator is g∼10⁻⁵-10⁻³.
• Timing data provided crucial statistical information on neutrino flavor distributions.

Conclusions:

• The results highlight the potential for new physics beyond the Standard Model.
• The study demonstrates the power of incorporating uncertainties in experimental analysis.
• Neutrino timing data offers unique insights not obtainable from energy data alone.