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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
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Setting Limits on Supersymmetry Using Simplified Models
Published on: November 16, 2013
Search for Neutrino-Induced Neutral-Current Δ Radiative Decay in MicroBooNE and a First Test of the MiniBooNE Low
P Abratenko1, R An2, J Anthony3
1Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|April 1, 2022
Summary
This study searched for neutrino-induced neutral current resonant Delta baryon production. The results provide a new, improved limit on single-photon production in neutrino interactions.
Area of Science:
- Particle Physics
- Neutrino Physics
- Experimental Physics
Background:
- Neutrino interactions are complex and challenging to study.
- Understanding neutral current (NC) resonant Delta baryon production is crucial for neutrino physics.
- Previous experiments have faced limitations in precisely measuring these interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To search for neutrino-induced neutral current (NC) resonant Delta(1232) baryon production followed by Delta radiative decay.
- To set improved limits on single-photon production in NC interactions.
- To investigate the MiniBooNE low-energy excess by constraining anomalous photon production.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from MicroBooNE's first three years (6.80×10^20 protons on target).
- Selected single-photon events (1γ1p and 1γ0p) in a 0.8 GeV neutrino beam, excluding charged leptons.
- Constrained background using in-situ measurements of NC pi^0 events (2γ1p and 2γ0p selections).
Main Results:
- Observed 16 events for 1γ1p and 153 events for 1γ0p, compared to background predictions.
- Set a 90% C.L. bound on anomalous enhancement of NC Delta radiative decay normalization to <2.3 times the nominal rate.
- Disfavored a photon interpretation of the MiniBooNE low-energy excess at 94.8% C.L.
Conclusions:
- The measurement provides a >50-fold improvement on the world's best limit for single-photon production in sub-GeV NC interactions.
- The results constrain new physics scenarios and improve the understanding of neutrino cross-sections.
- This study significantly advances the precision of measurements in neutrino physics.
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