Large Extra Dimensions and Neutrino Oscillations

TL;DR

This paper explores how large extra dimensions with Kaluza-Klein modes of right-handed neutrinos can influence neutrino oscillations, potentially explaining observed neutrino deficits in solar and reactor experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a model where right-handed neutrinos in extra dimensions affect neutrino mixing and derives experimental bounds on the extra dimension size.

Findings

Bounds on the size of extra dimensions from neutrino oscillation data

Potential explanation for solar neutrino deficits

Possible explanation for reactor neutrino anomalies

Abstract

We consider a model where right-handed neutrinos propagate in a large compactified extra dimension, engendering Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes, while the standard model particles are restricted to the usual 4-dimensional brane. A mass term mixes the KK modes with the standard left-handed neutrinos, opening the possibility of change the 3 generation mixing pattern. We derive bounds on the maximum size of the extra dimension from neutrino oscillation experiments. We show that this model provides a possible explanation for the deficit of nu_e in Ga solar neutrino calibration experiments and of the anti-nu_e in short baseline reactor experiments.