Work

Non-standard interactions of supernova neutrinos and mass ordering ambiguity at DUNE

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We show that non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI) can notably modify the pattern of resonant flavor conversion of neutrinos within supernovae and significantly impact the neutronization burst signal in forthcoming experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The presence of NSI can invert the energy levels of neutrino matter eigenstates and even induce a new resonance in the inner parts close to the proto-neutron star. We demonstrate how DUNE can use these new configurations of energy levels to have sensitivity to NSIs down to 𝒪(0.1). We also elucidate how the effect may result in a puzzling confusion of normal and inverted mass orderings by highlighting the emergence or vanishing of the neutronization peak, which distinguishes between the two mass orderings. Potential implications are analyzed thoroughly.

Source: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2025/03/046

Authors: Sudip Jana, Yago Porto

Institutions: Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Universidade Federal do ABC

Language: English

Topic: Neutrino Physics Research

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290

Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico