Updated global fit to three neutrino mixing: status of the hints of theta13 > 0

TL;DR

This paper provides an updated global analysis of neutrino oscillation data, assessing the current evidence for a non-zero theta13 mixing angle and its implications for neutrino physics.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive, updated global fit to neutrino data, evaluating the significance of theta13 hints and testing robustness against various experimental and model assumptions.

Findings

Evidence suggests a non-zero theta13 at a certain confidence level.

Updated data from Borexino, SAGE, and Super-Kamiokande influence the theta13 estimate.

Global analysis constrains neutrino mass and mixing parameters.

Abstract

We present an up-to-date global analysis of solar, atmospheric, reactor and accelerator neutrino data in the framework of three-neutrino oscillations. We discuss in detail the statistical significance of the observed "hint" of non-zero theta13 in the solar sector at the light of the latest experimental advances, such as the Borexino spectral data, the lower value of Gallium rate recently measured in SAGE, and the low energy threshold analysis of the combined SNO phase I and phase II. We also study the robustness of the results under changes of the inputs such as the choice of solar model fluxes and a possible modification of the Gallium capture cross-section as proposed by SAGE. In the atmospheric sector we focus on the latest results for nu_e appearance from MINOS and on the recent Super-Kamiokande results from the combined phases I, II and III, and we discuss their impact on the determination of theta13. Finally, we combine all the data into a global analysis and determine the presently allowed ranges of masses and mixing.