First Direct Observation of Muon Antineutrino Disappearance
This Letter reports the first direct observation of muon antineutrino disappearance. The MINOS experiment has taken data with an accelerator beam optimized for {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} production, accumulating an exposure of 1.71 x 10{sup 20} protons on target. In the Far Detector, 97 charged current {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} events are observed. The no-oscillation hypothesis predicts 156 events and is excluded at 6.3{sigma}. The best fit to oscillation yields |{Delta}{bar m}{sup 2}| = [3.36{sub -0.40}{sup +0.46}(stat){+-}0.06(syst)] x 10{sup -3} eV{sup 2}, sin{sup 2}(2{bar {Theta}}) = 0.86{sub -0.12}{sup +0.11}(stat) {+-} 0.01(syst). The MINOS {nu}{sub {mu}} and {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} measurements are consistent at the 2.0% confidence level, assuming identical underlying oscillation parameters.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-98CH10886
- OSTI ID:
- 1040488
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-96229-2011-JA; PRLTAO; R&D Project: PO--022; KA11011020; TRN: US1202466
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters, Vol. 107, Issue 2; ISSN 0031-9007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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