Abstract
We report results from the first search for sterile neutrinos mixing with active neutrinos through a reduction in the rate of neutral-current interactions over a baseline of 810 km between the NOvA detectors. Analyzing a 14-kton detector equivalent exposure of protons-on-target in the NuMI beam at Fermilab, we observe 95 neutral-current candidates at the Far Detector compared with events predicted assuming mixing only occurs between active neutrino species. No evidence for transitions is found. Interpreting these results within a model, we place constraints on the mixing angles and at the 90% C.L. for , the range of mass splittings that produce no significant oscillations over the Near Detector baseline.
- Received 16 June 2017
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.96.072006
© 2017 American Physical Society