Work

Reassessing the gallium anomaly using self-consistent electron wave functions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The gallium anomaly, a persistent discrepancy exceeding 4 σ in the Ga 71 neutrino capture rates from Cr 51 and Ar 37 radioactive sources by the GALLEX, SAGE, and recently BEST experiments, has challenged particle physics and nuclear theory for over three decades. We present a new calculation of the neutrino capture cross section, abandoning the conventional leading-order approximation for electronic wave functions by numerically solving the Dirac-Coulomb equation for both bound and continuum electron states. Finally, we reevaluate the gallium anomaly, updating its global significance and presenting the most up-to-date status of its interpretation in terms of sterile neutrinos.

Source: Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

DOI: 10.1103/pz8g-zz1b

Authors: M. Cadeddu, N. Cargioli, G. Carotenuto, F. Dordei, L. Ferro, C. Giunti

Institutions: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Torino

Language: English

Topic: Neutrino Physics Research

Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W4415310332

FWCI: 5.952

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Cited by: 2

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