Problems With the MINOS/MINOS+ Sterile Neutrino Muon-Neutrino Disappearance Result

TL;DR

This paper critiques the MINOS/MINOS+ sterile neutrino search, highlighting potential underestimation of systematic errors or evidence for new physics, which could invalidate their reported limits on muon-neutrino disappearance.

Contribution

It identifies issues in the MINOS/MINOS+ analysis that challenge the robustness of their sterile neutrino limits.

Findings

Potential underestimation of systematic errors in MINOS/MINOS+

Possible evidence for physics beyond the 3-neutrino model

Questions the validity of reported muon-neutrino disappearance limits

Abstract

The MINOS/MINOS+ experiment has recently reported stringent limits on $\nu_\mu$ disappearance that appear to rule out the 3+1 sterile neutrino model. However, in this paper we wish to point out problems associated with the MINOS/MINOS+ analysis. In particular, we find that MINOS/MINOS+ has either underestimated their systematic errors and/or has obtained evidence for physics beyond the 3-neutrino paradigm. Either case would invalidate the limits on $\nu_\mu$ disappearance.