<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> The existence of three distinct neutrino flavours, <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> , <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> and <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>τ</jats:sub> , is a central tenet of the Standard Model of particle physics <jats:sup>1,2</jats:sup> . Quantum-mechanical interference can allow a neutrino of one initial flavour to be detected sometime later as a different flavour, a process called neutrino oscillation. Several anomalous observations inconsistent with this three-flavour picture have motivated the hypothesis that an additional neutrino state exists, which does not interact directly with matter, termed as ‘sterile’ neutrino, <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>s</jats:sub> (refs. <jats:sup>3–9</jats:sup> ). This includes anomalous observations from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND) <jats:sup>3</jats:sup> experiment and Mini-Booster Neutrino Experiment (MiniBooNE) <jats:sup>4,5</jats:sup> , consistent with <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> → <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> transitions at a distance inconsistent with the three-neutrino picture. Here we use data obtained from the MicroBooNE liquid-argon time projection chamber <jats:sup>10</jats:sup> in two accelerator neutrino beams to exclude the single light sterile neutrino interpretation of the LSND and MiniBooNE anomalies at the 95% confidence level (CL). Moreover, we rule out a notable portion of the parameter space that could explain the gallium anomaly <jats:sup>6–8</jats:sup> . This is one of the first measurements to use two accelerator neutrino beams to break a degeneracy between <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> appearance and disappearance, which would otherwise weaken the sensitivity to the sterile neutrino hypothesis. We find no evidence for either <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> → <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> flavour transitions or <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> disappearance that would indicate non-standard flavour oscillations. Our results indicate that previous anomalous observations consistent with <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>μ</jats:sub> → <jats:italic>ν</jats:italic> <jats:sub>e</jats:sub> transitions cannot be explained by introducing a single sterile neutrino state. </jats:p>
14 observation channels used in this analysis. The first 7 channels correspond to the BNB, while the last 7 channels correspond to the NuMI beam. Each set of seven channels is split by reconstructed event type as well as containment in the detector, fully contained (FC) or partially contained (PC). The seven channels in order are $\nu_e$CC FC, $\nu_e$CC PC, $\nu_\mu$CC FC, $\nu_\mu$CC PC, $\nu_\mu$CC $\pi^0$ FC, $\nu_\mu$CC $\pi^0$ PC, and NC $\pi^0$. Each channel contains 25 bins from 0 to 2500 MeV of reconstructed neutrino energy, with an additional overflow bin.
Four $\nu_e$CC observation channels, after constraints from 10 $\nu_\mu$CC and NC $\pi^0$ channels. The four channels in order are BNB $\nu_e$CC FC, BNB $\nu_e$CC PC, NuMI $\nu_e$CC FC, and NuMI $\nu_e$CC PC. Each channel contains 25 bins from 0 to 2500 MeV of reconstructed neutrino energy, with an additional overflow bin.
14 channel covariance matrix showing uncertainties and correlations between bins due to flux uncertainties, cross-section uncertainties, hadron reinteraction uncertainties, detector systematic uncertainties, Monte-Carlo statistical uncertainties, and dirt (outside cryostat) uncertainties. Data statistical uncertainties have not been included, but they can be calculated with the Combined Neyman-Pearson (CNP) method. Each channel contains 25 bins from 0 to 2500 MeV of reconstructed neutrino energy, with an additional overflow bin.
We recently measured the branching fraction of the $B^{+}\rightarrow K^{+}ν\barν$ decay using 362fb$^{-1}$ of on-resonance $e^+e^-$ collision data under the assumption of Standard Model kinematics, providing the first evidence for this decay. To facilitate future reinterpretations and maximize the scientific impact of this measurement, we publicly release the full analysis likelihood along with all necessary material required for reinterpretation under arbitrary theoretical models sensitive to this measurement. In this work, we demonstrate how the measurement can be reinterpreted within the framework of the Weak Effective Theory. Using a kinematic reweighting technique in combination with the published likelihood, we derive marginal posterior distributions for the Wilson coefficients, construct credible intervals, and assess the goodness of fit to the Belle II data. For the Weak Effective Theory Wilson coefficients, the posterior mode of the magnitudes $|C_\mathrm{VL}+C_\mathrm{VR}|$, $|C_\mathrm{SL}+C_\mathrm{SR}|$, and $|C_\mathrm{TL}|$ corresponds to the point ${(11.3, 0.0, 8.2)}$. The respective 95% credible intervals are $[1.9, 16.2]$, $[0.0, 15.4]$, and $[0.0, 11.2]$.
The joint number density useful for reinterpretation in terms of new physics models (https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.08417). This is a 2d histogram of the ITA signal samples, combining both regions B (bins of $\eta(\rm{BDT}_2) \in [0.92, 0.94]$), binned in the kinematic variable $q^{2}_{\rm{gen}}$ and the fitting variables $q^{2}_{\rm{rec}} \times \eta(\rm{BDT}_2)$ (flattened).
The joint number density useful for reinterpretation in terms of new physics models (https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.08417). This is a 2d histogram of the HTA signal samples, binned in the kinematic variable $q^{2}_{\rm{gen}}$ and the fitting variable $\eta(\rm{BDTh})$.
We present a determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element $|V_{cb}|$ from the decay $B\to D\ellν_\ell$ using a $365~\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$$e^+e^-\toΥ(4S)\to B\bar B$ data sample recorded by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB collider. The semileptonic decay of one $B$ meson is reconstructed in the modes $B^0\to D^-(\to K^+π^-π^-)\ell^+ν_\ell$ and $B^+\to \bar D^0(\to K^+π^-)\ell^+ν_\ell$, where $\ell$ denotes either an electron or a muon. Charge conjugation is implied. The second $B$ meson in the $Υ(4S)$ event is not reconstructed explicitly. Using an inclusive reconstruction of the unobserved neutrino momentum, we determine the recoil variable $w=v_B\cdot v_D$, where $v_B$ and $v_D$ are the 4-velocities of the $B$ and $D$ mesons. We measure the total decay branching fractions to be $\mathcal{B}(B^0\to D^-\ell^+ν_\ell)=(2.06 \pm 0.05\,(\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.10\,(\mathrm{sys.}))\%$ and $\mathcal{B}(B^+\to\bar D^0\ell^+ν_\ell)=(2.31 \pm 0.04\,(\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.09\,(\mathrm{sys.}))\%$. We probe lepton flavor universality by measuring $\mathcal{B}(B\to Deν_e)/\mathcal{B}(B\to Dμν_μ)=1.020 \pm 0.020\,(\mathrm{stat.})\pm 0.022\,(\mathrm{sys.})$. Fitting the partial decay branching fraction as a function of $w$ and using the average of lattice QCD calculations of the $B\to D$ form factor, we obtain $ |V_{cb}|=(39.2\pm 0.4\,(\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.6\,(\mathrm{sys.}) \pm 0.5\,(\mathrm{th.})) \times 10^{-3}$.
Differential decay rate $d\Gamma/dw$ for $B \to D \ell \nu$ averaged over 4 modes. The uncertainty listed represents the total uncertainty from statistical and systematic sources.
Differential decay rates $d\Gamma/dw$ for individual $B \to D \ell \nu$ modes. The uncertainty listed represents the total uncertainty from statistical and systematic sources.
Correlations (stat.+syst.) between the $d\Gamma_i/dw$ bins for the averaged $B \rightarrow D \ell \nu$ spectrum (10x10). Element indices 0-9 correspond to $w$ bins: 0: [1.00, 1.06], 1: [1.06, 1.12], 2: [1.12, 1.18], 3: [1.18, 1.24], 4: [1.24, 1.30], 5: [1.30, 1.36], 6: [1.36, 1.42], 7: [1.42, 1.48], 8: [1.48, 1.54], 9: [1.54, 1.59]
We present the results of a search for the charged-lepton-flavor violating decays $B^0 \rightarrow K^{*0}\tau^\pm \ell^{\mp}$, where $\ell^{\mp}$ is either an electron or a muon. The results are based on 365 fb$^{-1}$ and 711 fb$^{-1}$ datasets collected with the Belle II and Belle detectors, respectively. We use an exclusive hadronic $B$-tagging technique, and search for a signal decay in the system recoiling against a fully reconstructed $B$ meson. We find no evidence for $B^0 \rightarrow K^{*0}\tau^\pm \ell^{\mp}$ decays and set upper limits on the branching fractions in the range of $(2.9-6.4)\times10^{-5}$ at 90% confidence level.
$M_{\tau}$ distribution in signal region, (OS$e$, Belle)
$M_{\tau}$ distribution in signal region, (OS$e$, Belle II)
$M_{\tau}$ distribution in signal region, (OS$\mu$, Belle)
We present a search for the rare flavor-changing neutral-current decay $B^0 \to K^{\ast 0} τ^+ τ^-$ with data collected by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB electron-positron collider. The analysis uses a 365 fb$^{-1}$ data sample recorded at the center-of-mass energy of the $Υ(4S)$ resonance. One of the $B$ mesons produced in the $Υ(4S)\to B^0 \bar{B}^0$ process is fully reconstructed in a hadronic decay mode, while its companion $B$ meson is required to decay into a $K^{\ast 0}$ and two $τ$ leptons of opposite charge. The $τ$ leptons are reconstructed in final states with a single electron, muon, charged pion or charged $ρ$ meson, and additional neutrinos. We set an upper limit on the branching ratio of $BR(B^0 \to K^{\ast 0} τ^+ τ^-) < 1.8 \times 10^{-3}$ at the 90% confidence level, which is the most stringent constraint reported to date.
- - - - - - - - Overview of HEPData Record - - - - - - - -<br/><br/></ul><b>Post-fit yields:</b><ul><li><a href="159541?version=1&table=Postfit%20yields:%20fit%20variable">Fit variable $\eta(\rm{BDT})$</a></ul><b>Signal $q^{2}$:</b><ul><li><a href="159541?version=1&table=Generated%20$q^2$"> Generated $q^{2}$ distribution </a></ul><b>Signal selection efficiency:</b><ul><li><a href="159541?version=1&table=Selection%20efficiency"> Selection efficieny in signal region </a>
Observed yields and fit results in bins of $\eta(\rm{BDT})$ as obtained by the fit on the four signal categories, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 365 fb$^{-1}$. The yields are shown for $B^0 \rightarrow K^{\ast 0}\tau\tau$ signal and the two background components ($B\bar{B}$ decays and $q\bar{q}$ continuum).
Distribution of the di-tau invariant mass squared $q^2$ assumed for the generated signal $B^0 \rightarrow K^{\ast 0}\tau\tau$ events.
The mass of the top quark is measured using top-antitop-quark pair events with high transverse momentum top quarks. The dataset, collected with the ATLAS detector in proton--proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV delivered by the Large Hadron Collider, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb$^{-1}$. The analysis targets events in the lepton-plus-jets decay channel, with an electron or muon from a semi-leptonically decaying top quark and a hadronically decaying top quark that is sufficiently energetic to be reconstructed as a single large-radius jet. The mean of the invariant mass of the reconstructed large-radius jet provides the sensitivity to the top quark mass and is simultaneously fitted with two additional observables to reduce the impact of the systematic uncertainties. The top quark mass is measured to be $m_t = 172.95 \pm 0.53$ GeV, which is the most precise ATLAS measurement from a single channel.
Values and uncertainties for the parameters of interest in the profile likelihood fit to $\overline{m_J}$, $m_{jj}$, and $m_{tj}$ using data. The parameters of interest are the top quark mass, $m_t$, and the ratio of the measured cross-section to the Standard Model expectation of the $t\bar{t}$ cross-section, $\mu$.
Post-fit central values and uncertaintes for the nuisance parameters (including MC stat uncertainty terms) used in the profile likelihood fit to $\overline{m_J}$, $m_{jj}$, and $m_{tj}$ using data.
Covariance matrix for the profile likelihood fit to $\overline{m_J}$, $m_{jj}$, and $m_{tj}$ using data.
We present an inclusive search for anomalous production of single-photon events from neutrino interactions in the MicroBooNE experiment. The search and its signal definition are motivated by the previous observation of a low-energy excess of electromagnetic shower events from the MiniBooNE experiment. We use the Wire-Cell reconstruction framework to select a sample of inclusive single-photon final-state interactions with a final efficiency and purity of 7.0% and 40.2%, respectively. We leverage simultaneous measurements of sidebands of charged current $\nu_{\mu}$ interactions and neutral current interactions producing $\pi^{0}$ mesons to constrain signal and background predictions and reduce uncertainties. We perform a blind analysis using a dataset collected from February 2016 to July 2018, corresponding to an exposure of $6.34\times10^{20}$ protons on target from the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermilab. In the full signal region, we observe agreement between the data and the prediction, with a goodness-of-fit $p$-value of 0.11. We then isolate a sub-sample of these events containing no visible protons, and observe $93\pm22\text{(stat.)}\pm35\text{(syst.)}$ data events above prediction, corresponding to just above $2\sigma$ local significance, concentrated at shower energies below 600 MeV.
Fig. 2. The reconstructed shower energy. The individual signal and background event type categories added together form the unconstrained prediction.
Fig. 2. The constrained covariance matrix for the reconstructed shower energy. The matrix shows uncertainties and correlations between bins due to flux uncertainties, cross-section uncertainties, hadron reinteraction uncertainties, detector systematic uncertainties, Monte-Carlo statistical uncertainties, and dirt (outside cryostat) uncertainties. Data statistical uncertainties are not included. An example of how to add Pearson data statistical uncertainties can be found in the example code repository.
Fig. 2, Suppl. Fig. 5. The unconstrained covariance matrix for the reconstructed shower energy. The matrix shows uncertainties and correlations between bins due to flux uncertainties, cross-section uncertainties, hadron reinteraction uncertainties, detector systematic uncertainties, Monte-Carlo statistical uncertainties, and dirt (outside cryostat) uncertainties. Data statistical uncertainties are not included. An example of how to add Pearson data statistical uncertainties can be found in the example code repository.
We report results from an updated search for neutral current (NC) resonant $Δ$(1232) baryon production and subsequent $Δ$ radiative decay (NC $Δ\rightarrow N γ$). We consider events with and without final state protons; events with a proton can be compared with the kinematics of a $Δ(1232)$ baryon decay, while events without a visible proton represent a more generic phase space. In order to maximize sensitivity to each topology, we simultaneously make use of two different reconstruction paradigms, Pandora and Wire-Cell, which have complementary strengths, and select mostly orthogonal sets of events. Considering an overall scaling of the NC $Δ\rightarrow N γ$ rate as an explanation of the MiniBooNE anomaly, our data exclude this hypothesis at 94.4% CL. When we decouple the expected correlations between NC $Δ\rightarrow N γ$ events with and without final state protons, and allow independent scaling of both types of events, our data exclude explanations in which excess events have associated protons, and do not exclude explanations in which excess events have no associated protons.
The four bins correspond to WC $1\gamma Np$, WC $1\gamma 0p$, Pandora $1\gamma 1p$, and Pandora $1\gamma 0p$ predictions. Systematic uncertainties on the predictions are illustrated, and a more detailed covariance matrix is included in the Constrained Signal Channels Covariance Matrix and Signal And Constraining Channels Covariance Matrix tabs. This corresponds to Fig. 1 and Table III of the paper.
Covariance matrix showing constrained uncertainties and correlations between bins due to flux uncertainties, cross-section uncertainties, hadron reinteraction uncertainties, detector systematic uncertainties, Monte-Carlo statistical uncertainties, and dirt (outside cryostat) uncertainties. Pearson data statistical uncertainties have been included, and include small correlations due to events which can be selected by both WC and Pandora. The four bins are the WC $1\gamma Np$, WC $1\gamma 0p$, Pandora $1\gamma 1p$, and Pandora $1\gamma 0p$ channels. This corresponds to Fig. 1 and Table II of the paper.
Four constraining channels. The four channels in order are NC $\pi^0 Np$, NC $\pi^0 0p$, $\nu_\mu$CC $Np$, and $\nu_\mu$CC $0p$. Each channel contains 15 bins from 0 to 1500 MeV of reconstructed neutrino energy, with an additional overflow bin. Unconstrained and constrained systematic uncertainties on the predictions are illustrated, and a more detailed covariance matrix is included in the Signal And Constraining Channels Covariance Matrix tab. This corresponds to Fig. 6 of the Supplemental Material.
This Letter presents an investigation of low-energy electron-neutrino interactions in the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam by the MicroBooNE experiment, motivated by the excess of electron-neutrino-like events observed by the MiniBooNE experiment. This is the first measurement to use data from all five years of operation of the MicroBooNE experiment, corresponding to an exposure of $1.11\times 10^{21}$ protons on target, a $70\%$ increase on past results. Two samples of electron neutrino interactions without visible pions are used, one with visible protons and one without any visible protons. The MicroBooNE data show reasonable agreement with the nominal prediction, with $p$-values $\ge 26.7\%$ when the two $ν_e$ samples are combined, though the prediction exceeds the data in limited regions of phase space. The data is further compared to two empirical models that modify the predicted rate of electron-neutrino interactions in different variables in the simulation to match the unfolded MiniBooNE low energy excess. In the first model, this unfolding is performed as a function of electron neutrino energy, while the second model aims to match the observed shower energy and angle distributions of the MiniBooNE excess. This measurement excludes an electron-like interpretation of the MiniBooNE excess based on these models at $> 99\%$ CL$_\mathrm{s}$ in all kinematic variables.
Fig. 2 top figure - Distributions of MC simulation compared with data for reconstructed neutrino energy in the 1$e$N$p$0$\pi$ signal channel, along with the LEE Signal Model 1. Only bins between 0.15 GeV and 1.55 GeV are released, as statistical tests are performed within this region. The signal and background event categories are summed to form the unconstrained prediction (excluding LEE). Signal events correspond to $\nu_e$ CC events. Background events include $\nu$ with $\pi^0$ events, $\nu$ other events, and cosmic ray events. In Fig. 2, the LEE component is plotted on top of the constrained prediction (excluding LEE) for illustrative purposes. In all statistical tests (results summarized in Table I), the prediction under an LEE hypothesis corresponds to a constrained prediction including LEE. The statistical uncertainties of data use a combined Neyman-Pearson (CNP) version (Eq.(19) in https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2020.163677).
Fig. 2 bottom figure - Distributions of MC simulation compared with data for reconstructed neutrino energy in the 1$e$0$p$0$\pi$ signal channel, along with the LEE Signal Model 1. Only bins between 0.15 GeV and 1.55 GeV are released, as statistical tests are performed within this region. The signal and background event categories are summed to form the unconstrained prediction (excluding LEE). Signal events correspond to $\nu_e$ CC events. Background events include $\nu$ with $\pi^0$ events, $\nu$ other events, and cosmic ray events. In Fig. 2, the LEE component is plotted on top of the constrained prediction (excluding LEE) for illustrative purposes. In all statistical tests (results summarized in Table I), the prediction under an LEE hypothesis corresponds to a constrained prediction including LEE. The statistical uncertainties of data use a combined Neyman-Pearson (CNP) version (Eq.(19) in https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2020.163677).
Fig. 3 top figure - Distributions of MC simulation compared with data for reconstructed shower energy in the 1$e$N$p$0$\pi$ signal channel, along with the LEE Signal Model 2. The signal and background event categories are summed to form the unconstrained prediction (excluding LEE). Signal events correspond to $\nu_e$ CC events. Background events include $\nu$ with $\pi^0$ events, $\nu$ other events, and cosmic ray events. In Fig. 3, the LEE component is plotted on top of the constrained prediction (excluding LEE) for illustrative purposes. In all statistical tests (results summarized in Table I), the prediction under an LEE hypothesis corresponds to a constrained prediction including LEE. The statistical uncertainties of data use a combined Neyman-Pearson (CNP) version (Eq.(19) in https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2020.163677).
We report a measurement of the $e^+e^- \to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$ cross section in the energy range from 0.62 to 3.50 GeV using an initial-state radiation technique. We use an $e^+e^-$ data sample corresponding to 191 $\text{fb}^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, collected at a center-of-mass energy at or near the $\Upsilon{(4S)}$ resonance with the Belle II detector at the SuperKEKB collider. Signal yields are extracted by fitting the two-photon mass distribution in $e^+e^- \to \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0\gamma$ events, which involve a $\pi^0 \to \gamma\gamma$ decay and an energetic photon radiated from the initial state. Signal efficiency corrections with an accuracy of 1.6% are obtained from several control data samples. The uncertainty on the cross section at the $\omega$ and $\phi$ resonances is dominated by the systematic uncertainty of 2.2%. The resulting cross sections in the 0.62-1.80 GeV energy range yield $ a_\mu^{3\pi} = [48.91 \pm 0.23~(\mathrm{stat}) \pm 1.07~(\mathrm{syst})] \times 10^{-10} $ for the leading-order hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment. This result differs by $2.5$ standard deviations from the most precise current determination.
Energy bin range ($\sqrt{s'}$), number of events after unfolding ($N_{\mathrm{unf}}$), corrected efficiency ($\varepsilon$), and cross section ($\sigma_{3\pi}$) for $e^{+}e^{-} \to \pi^{+} \pi^{-} \pi^{0}$ in energy range 0.62--1.05~GeV. The two uncertainties in the cross section are the statistical and systematic contributions. The statistical uncertainties for the unfolding and cross section are square roots of the diagonal components of the unfolding covariance matrix. The image shows Figure 23 in the PRD paper, and the points with error bars indicate the cross section in the table.
Energy bin range ($\sqrt{s'}$), number of events after unfolding ($N_{\mathrm{unf}}$), corrected efficiency ($\varepsilon$), and cross section ($\sigma_{3\pi}$) for $e^{+}e^{-} \to \pi^{+} \pi^{-} \pi^{0}$ in energy range 1.05--3.50~GeV. The two uncertainties in the cross section are the statistical and systematic contributions. The statistical uncertainties for the unfolding and cross section are square roots of the diagonal components of the unfolding covariance matrix. The image shows Figure 23 in the PRD paper, and the points with error bars indicate the cross section in the table.
The statistic covariance matrix for the $e^+e^- \to \pi^+ \pi^- \pi^0$ cross section measurement at the Belle II. The 212 x 212 matrix of the energy ranges from 0.62 to 3.50 GeV. This covariance matrix, obtained by propagating the covariance matrix in the unfolding procedure, shows the total statistical uncertainties for the cross section results.