Testing New Physics Explanations of the MiniBooNE Anomaly at Neutrino Scattering Experiments.

Area of Science:

• Particle Physics
• Neutrino Physics
• Experimental Physics

Background:

• The MiniBooNE experiment observed an excess in neutrino-electron scattering events, potentially indicating new physics.
• Heavy neutrino models with additional interactions and light mediators have been proposed to explain this anomaly.
• These models often predict observable effects in high-energy neutrino-electron scattering experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To place new constraints on heavy neutrino models with light mediators.
• To test the viability of these models in explaining the MiniBooNE excess.
• To utilize data from neutrino-electron scattering experiments.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of neutrino-electron scattering sideband measurements.
• Utilizing data from the MINERνA and CHARM-II experiments.
• Comparing experimental results with predictions from heavy neutrino models.

Main Results:

• New, stringent constraints have been placed on heavy neutrino models with light mediators.
• The simultaneous explanation of MiniBooNE's angular and energy distributions is severely constrained.
• High-energy neutrino-electron scattering experiments provide powerful limitations on these models.

Conclusions:

• Models involving heavy neutrinos with light mediators are significantly constrained by current experimental data.
• The proposed explanations for the MiniBooNE excess face considerable challenges.
• Further investigation into neutrino anomalies may require alternative theoretical frameworks or more precise measurements.