nu_e Disappearance in MiniBooNE

TL;DR

This paper explains the MiniBooNE low-energy nu_e excess by proposing nu_e disappearance, consistent with Gallium and beam-dump experiment results, through flux renormalization and combined data analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a model where nu_e disappearance accounts for the MiniBooNE excess, aligning with previous Gallium and beam-dump experiment findings.

Findings

MiniBooNE data fit with P(nu_e->nu_e)=0.64

Combined fit yields P(nu_e->nu_e)=0.82

Compatibility with Gallium and beam-dump results

Abstract

The anomalous excess of low-energy nu_e events measured in the MiniBooNE experiment is explained through a renormalization of the absolute neutrino flux and a simultaneous disappearance of the nu_e's in the beam, which is compatible with that indicated by the results of Gallium radioactive source experiments. We present the results of the fit of MiniBooNE data (P(nu_e->nu_e) = 0.64 +0.08 -0.07) and the combined fit of MiniBooNE data and the nu_e disappearance measured in the Gallium radioactive source experiments, which gives P(nu_e->nu_e) = 0.82 +- 0.04. We show that our interpretation of the data is also compatible with an old indication in favor of nu_e disappearance found from the analysis of the results of beam-dump experiments, leading to P(nu_e->nu_e) = 0.80 +0.03 -0.04.