A search for an additional neutrino mass eigenstate in 2 to 100 eV region from "Troitsk nu-mass" data - detailed analysis

TL;DR

This paper details the analysis of Troitsk nu-mass data to search for an extra neutrino mass state between 2 and 100 eV, including methodology, systematic error estimation, and comparison with Mainz results.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of neutrino mass search in the specified range, including likelihood functions and systematic error assessment, enhancing previous results.

Findings

Likelihood functions for various heavy mass hypotheses

Systematic errors estimated and discussed

Comparison explains differences in sensitivity with Mainz data

Abstract

In this paper we present the details of our previously published results for a search for an additional neutrino mass state in $\beta$-electron spectrum from the Troitsk nu-mass experiment. Here we present steps of the analysis, show a set of likelihood functions obtained for each additional heavy mass value. We demonstrate how systematic errors were estimated. We also compare our results with those published recently for a similar analysis for Mainz data and try to explain why there is a factor of 2-3 difference in the sensitivity for an additional heavy mass.