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Neutrino Mass Ordering Obscured by Nonstandard Interactions
Francesco Capozzi1, Sabya Sachi Chatterjee2, Antonio Palazzo3,4
1Max-Planck-Institut für Physik (Werner-Heisenberg-Institut), Föhringer Ring 6, 80805 München, Germany.
Determining neutrino mass ordering (NMO) is key in particle physics. New findings show that nonstandard interactions (NSI) can obscure the normal neutrino mass ordering, challenging current experimental indications.
Area of Science:
- Particle Physics
- Neutrino Physics
Background:
- The neutrino mass ordering (NMO) remains a significant unsolved problem in particle physics.
- Current data from NOνA and T2K experiments suggest a preference for the normal ordering within the standard three-flavor model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of neutral-current nonstandard interactions (NSI) on the determination of neutrino mass ordering.
- To assess whether NSI can diminish the observed preference for the normal neutrino mass ordering.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments (NOνA and T2K).
- Theoretical modeling incorporating flavor-changing, neutral-current nonstandard interactions (NSI) involving electron and tau flavors.
- Comparison of experimental results under standard and nonstandard interaction scenarios.
Main Results:
- The indication for normal neutrino mass ordering from NOνA and T2K data is significantly weakened, or completely erased, when flavor-changing neutral-current nonstandard interactions (NSI) involving e-τ flavors are considered.
- The presence of NSI can mask or mimic the effects of neutrino oscillations, complicating the extraction of NMO information.
Conclusions:
- The claim for a definitive discovery of the normal neutrino mass ordering requires careful consideration of potential nonstandard interactions (NSI).
- Future analyses must account for the possibility of NSI to robustly determine the neutrino mass ordering.
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