The Atmospheric Neutrino Anomaly: Muon Neutrino Disappearance

TL;DR

The paper reviews evidence for muon neutrino disappearance observed by Super-Kamiokande, strongly supporting neutrino oscillations between muon and tau neutrinos with nearly maximal mixing.

Contribution

It consolidates experimental evidence and discusses implications, emphasizing the transition from anomaly to oscillation confirmation in atmospheric neutrinos.

Findings

Strong evidence for muon neutrino disappearance

Indications of muon-tau neutrino oscillations

Nearly maximal mixing angle inferred

Abstract

With the 1998 announcement of new evidence for muon neutrino disappearance observed by the Super-Kamiokande experiment, the more than a decade old atmospheric neutrino anomaly moved from a possible indication for neutrino oscillations to an almost inescapable implication. The evidence from all experiments is reviewed, and indications are presented that the oscillations are probably between muon and tau neutrinos with nearly maximal mixing. Implications and future directions in neutrino oscillations research are discussed.