[Paper Review] Neutrino oscillations from large extra dimensions

Riccardo Barbieri, Paolo Creminelli+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 18, 2000

Neutrino Physics Research18 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes that right-handed neutrinos propagating in large extra dimensions can explain neutrino oscillations, offering an alternative to standard νμ → ντ or νμ → νsterile models. It presents a phenomenological framework that resolves the atmospheric neutrino anomaly while satisfying constraints from big-bang nucleosynthesis.

ABSTRACT

Assuming that right-handed neutrinos exist and propagate in some large extradimensions, we attempt to give a comprehensive description of the phenomenologyof neutrino oscillations. A few alternative explanations of the atmosphericneutrino anomaly emerge, different from the standard nuMu --> nuTau or nuMu -->nuSterile interpretations. Constraints from nucleosynthesis are discussed.

Motivation & Objective

• To explore the phenomenology of neutrino oscillations in the context of large extra dimensions.
• To address the atmospheric neutrino anomaly without relying on standard νμ → ντ or νμ → νsterile transitions.
• To examine the cosmological implications, particularly constraints from big-bang nucleosynthesis.
• To investigate the viability of right-handed neutrinos propagating in large extra dimensions as a mechanism for neutrino mass generation.

Proposed method

• Assumes the existence of right-handed neutrinos that propagate in large extra spatial dimensions.
• Constructs a higher-dimensional field theory framework to describe neutrino mixing and oscillations.
• Derives effective four-fermion interactions in four dimensions via Kaluza-Klein reduction.
• Evaluates the impact of extra-dimensional propagation on neutrino oscillation probabilities.
• Applies constraints from big-bang nucleosynthesis to limit the parameter space of the model.
• Compares the model's predictions with atmospheric neutrino data to assess viability.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can neutrino oscillations in large extra dimensions explain the atmospheric neutrino anomaly without invoking νμ → ντ or νμ → νsterile transitions?
• RQ2 How do right-handed neutrinos propagating in large extra dimensions affect the effective neutrino mixing parameters?
• RQ3 What are the cosmological constraints on this model, particularly from big-bang nucleosynthesis?
• RQ4 How does the size of the extra dimensions influence the observed neutrino oscillation patterns?

Key findings

• The model provides alternative explanations for the atmospheric neutrino anomaly distinct from standard νμ → ντ or νμ → νsterile interpretations.
• Right-handed neutrinos propagating in large extra dimensions can generate effective four-fermion interactions consistent with observed neutrino oscillations.
• Constraints from big-bang nucleosynthesis place non-trivial limits on the size of the extra dimensions and the coupling strengths.
• The model remains viable under nucleosynthesis constraints, suggesting a potential solution to the atmospheric neutrino puzzle.