Neutrino Oscillation Studies with MINOS

TL;DR

The MINOS experiment measures neutrino oscillation parameters using a two-detector setup and searches for additional neutrino types and electron neutrino appearance to explore fundamental neutrino properties.

Contribution

This study provides updated measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters and investigates the existence of extra neutrino families and electron neutrino appearance.

Findings

Measured $ ext{Δ}m_{23}^2$ and $ ext{sin}^2(2 heta_{23})$ with improved precision

Set limits on additional light neutrino families

Assessed the potential for observing $ u_{e}$ appearance

Abstract

The MINOS experiment observes the NuMI beam produced by the Main Injector accelerator at two detector stations, one 1 km and the other 735 km from the neutrino production target. From the disappearance of neutrinos in flight between the two detectors, we measure the neutrino oscillation parameters $\Delta m_{23}^2$ and $\sin^2(2\theta_{23})$ and update our previously published result. Additionally, we have searched for evidence of additional light neutrino families which do not couple to the weak interaction. Finally, we discuss the status of our search for the appearance of $\nu_{e}$, an effect expected if the mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ is non-zero and required if the goal of CP violation in the neutrino sector is to be observed.