On the Sensitivity of L/E Analysis of Super-Kamiokande Atmospheric Neutrino Data to Neutrino Oscillation Part~1

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the assumptions behind Super-Kamiokande's L/E analysis of atmospheric neutrino data, revealing that the approximation linking neutrino and lepton directions is invalid, which impacts the interpretation of observed oscillation patterns.

Contribution

The paper challenges a key assumption in Super-Kamiokande's analysis, demonstrating its invalidity and implications for neutrino oscillation results.

Findings

The neutrino and lepton directions are not approximately the same.

The invalid assumption affects the detection of oscillation maxima.

L/E analysis may not reveal the true oscillation pattern.

Abstract

It is said that the finding of the maximum oscillation in neutrino oscillation by Super-Kamiokande is one of the major achievements of the SK. In present paper, we examine the assumption made by Super-Kamiokande Collaboration that the direction of the incident neutrino is approximately the same as that of the produced lepton, which is the cornerstone in their L/E analysis and we find this approximation does not hold even approximately. In the Part 2 of the subsequent paper, we apply the results from Figures 12, 13 and 14 to L/E analysis and conclude that one cannot obtain the maximum oscillation in L/E analysis which shows strongly the oscillation pattern from the neutrino oscillation.