Constraints on neutrino decay lifetime using long-baseline charged and neutral current data

TL;DR

This paper analyzes long-baseline neutrino data from MINOS and T2K to constrain neutrino decay lifetime, finding the most stringent accelerator-based limit to date.

Contribution

It provides the first combined analysis of MINOS and T2K data to set new bounds on neutrino decay lifetime using accelerator experiments.

Findings

Best fit for standard oscillation parameters with zero decay.

90% CL limit on neutrino decay lifetime: τ₃/m₃ > 2.8×10⁻¹² s/eV.

This is the most restrictive accelerator-based neutrino decay limit.

Abstract

We investigate the status of a scenario involving oscillations and decay for charged and neutral current data from the MINOS and T2K experiments. We first present an analysis of charged current neutrino and anti-neutrino data from MINOS in the framework of oscillation with decay and obtain a best fit for non-zero decay parameter $\alpha_3$. The MINOS charged and neutral current data analysis results in the best fit for $|\Delta m_{32}^2| = 2.34\times 10^{-3}$~eV$^2$, $\sin^2 \theta_{23} = 0.60$ and zero decay parameter, which corresponds to the limit for standard oscillations. Our combined MINOS and T2K analysis reports a constraint at the 90\% confidence level for the neutrino decay lifetime $\tau_3/m_3 > 2.8 \times 10^{-12}$~s/eV. This is the best limit based only on accelerator produced neutrinos.