Measurements of the atmospheric neutrino flux by Super-Kamiokande: energy spectra, geomagnetic effects, and solar modulation

The Super-Kamiokande collaboration Richard, E. ; Okumura, K. ; Abe, K. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.D 94 (2016) 052001, 2016.
Inspire Record 1401192 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.76912

A comprehensive study on the atmospheric neutrino flux in the energy region from sub-GeV up to several TeV using the Super-Kamiokande water Cherenkov detector is presented in this paper. The energy and azimuthal spectra of the atmospheric ${\nu}_e+{\bar{\nu}}_e$ and ${\nu}_{\mu}+{\bar{\nu}}_{\mu}$ fluxes are measured. The energy spectra are obtained using an iterative unfolding method by combining various event topologies with differing energy responses. The azimuthal spectra depending on energy and zenith angle, and their modulation by geomagnetic effects, are also studied. A predicted east-west asymmetry is observed in both the ${\nu}_e$ and ${\nu}_{\mu}$ samples at 8.0 {\sigma} and 6.0 {\sigma} significance, respectively, and an indication that the asymmetry dipole angle changes depending on the zenith angle was seen at the 2.2 {\sigma} level. The measured energy and azimuthal spectra are consistent with the current flux models within the estimated systematic uncertainties. A study of the long-term correlation between the atmospheric neutrino flux and the solar magnetic activity cycle is also performed, and a weak indication of a correlation was seen at the 1.1 {\sigma} level, using SK I-IV data spanning a 20 year period. For particularly strong solar activity periods known as Forbush decreases, no theoretical prediction is available, but a deviation below the typical neutrino event rate is seen at the 2.4 {\sigma} level.

2 data tables

Electron neutrino flux measured by SK I-IV data. Error written in percentage including both statistical and systematic uncertainties.

Muon neutrino flux measured by SK I-IV data. Error written in percentage including both statistical and systematic uncertainties.


A high statistics search for nu/mu (anti-nu/mu) --> nu/e (anti-nu/e) oscillations in the small mixing angle regime.

The CCFR/NuTeV collaboration Romosan, A. ; Arroyo, C.G. ; de Barbaro, L. ; et al.
Phys.Rev.Lett. 78 (1997) 2912-2915, 1997.
Inspire Record 426120 DOI 10.17182/hepdata.41667

Limits on $\nu_\mu (\overline{\nu}_\mu) \to \nu_e (\overline{\nu}_e)$ oscillations based on a statistical separation of $\nu_e N$ charged current interactions in the CCFR detector at Fermilab are presented. $\nu_e$ interactions are identified by the difference in the longitudinal shower energy deposition pattern of $\nu_e N \rightarrow eX$ versus $\nu_\mu N \to \nu_\mu X$ interactions. Neutrino energies range from 30 to 600 GeV with a mean of 140 GeV, and $\nu_\mu$ flight lengths vary from 0.9 km to 1.4 km. The lowest 90% confidence upper limit in $sin^2 2\alpha$ of $1.1 \times 10^{-3}$ is obtained at $\Delta m^2 \sim 300 eV^2$. For $sin^2 2\alpha = 1$, $\Delta m^2 > 1.6 eV^2$ is excluded, and for $\Delta m^2 \gg 1000 eV^2$, $sin^2 2\alpha > 1.8 \times 10^{-3}$ is excluded. This result is the most stringent limit to date for $\Delta m^2 > 25 eV^2$ and it excludes the high $\Delta m^2$ oscillation region favoured by the LSND experiment. The $\nu_\mu$-to-$\nu_e$ cross-section ratio was measured as a test of $\nu_\mu (\bar\nu_\mu) \leftrightarrow \nu_e (\bar\nu_e)$ universality to be $1.026 \pm 0.055$.

2 data tables

ALPHA is the neutrino mixing angle. The result for SIN(ALPHA)**2 from the fit at each Delta(M)**2 for NUMU -->NUE oscillations. The 90% CL upper limit is equal to the best fit SIN(ALPHA)**2 + 1.2*SIGMA.

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