Can a 3+2 Oscillation Model Explain the NuTeV Electroweak Results?

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether a 3+2 neutrino oscillation model can explain the NuTeV anomaly in the weak mixing angle measurement, finding it can only partially account for the discrepancy.

Contribution

It analyzes specific 3+2 neutrino oscillation scenarios and assesses their ability to explain the NuTeV electroweak measurement anomaly.

Findings

3+2 neutrino oscillations can explain up to one-third of the NuTeV anomaly.

The models fit current oscillation data at 99% confidence level.

Electron to sterile neutrino oscillations are insufficient to fully resolve the discrepancy.

Abstract

The weak mixing angle result from NuTeV falls three standard deviations above the value determined by global electroweak fits. It has been suggested that one possible explanation for this result could be the oscillation of electron neutrinos in the NuTeV beam to sterile neutrinos. This article examines several cases of masses and mixings for 3+2 neutrino oscillation models which fit the current oscillation data at 99% CL. We conclude that electron to sterile neutrino oscillations can account for only up to a third of a standard deviation between the NuTeV determination of the weak mixing angle and the standard model.