Constraints on Large Extra Dimensions from the MINOS Experiment

TL;DR

This paper uses data from the MINOS neutrino experiment to set upper limits on the size of large extra dimensions by analyzing neutrino oscillation patterns and finding no deviations from the standard model.

Contribution

It provides new experimental constraints on the size of large extra dimensions using neutrino oscillation data from MINOS, improving previous limits.

Findings

Size of large extra dimensions constrained to be smaller than 0.45 μm at 90% C.L.

No evidence found for sterile neutrinos arising from extra dimensions.

Stronger limits established for non-zero active neutrino masses.

Abstract

We report new constraints on the size of large extra dimensions from data collected by the MINOS experiment between 2005 and 2012. Our analysis employs a model in which sterile neutrinos arise as Kaluza-Klein states in large extra dimensions and thus modify the neutrino oscillation probabilities due to mixing between active and sterile neutrino states. Using Fermilab's NuMI beam exposure of $10.56 \times 10^{20}$ protons-on-target, we combine muon neutrino charged current and neutral current data sets from the Near and Far Detectors and observe no evidence for deviations from standard three-flavor neutrino oscillations. The ratios of reconstructed energy spectra in the two detectors constrain the size of large extra dimensions to be smaller than $0.45\,\mu\text{m}$ at 90% C.L. in the limit of a vanishing lightest active neutrino mass. Stronger limits are obtained for non-vanishing masses.