New constraints on neutrino masses from cosmology

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2006 · New Astron.Rev.50:1020-1024,2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newar.2006.09.020· OSTI ID:899997

Melchiorri, A; Serra, P; Dodelson, S; Slosar, A

By combining data from cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments (including the recent WMAP third year results), large scale structure (LSS) and Lyman-{alpha} forest observations, we derive upper limits on the sum of neutrino masses of {summation}m{sub v} < 0.17eV at 95% c.l.. We then constrain the hypothesis of a fourth, sterile, massive neutrino. For the 3 massless + 1 massive neutrino case we bound the mass of the sterile neutrino to m{sub s} < 0.26eV at 95% c.l.. These results exclude at high significance the sterile neutrino hypothesis as an explanation of the LSND anomaly. We then generalize the analysis to account for active neutrino masses which tightens the limit to m{sub s} < 0.23eV and the possibility that the sterile abundance is not thermal. In the latter case, the constraints in the (mass, density) plane are nontrivial. For a mass of > 1eV or < 0.05eV the cosmological energy density in sterile neutrinos is always constrained to be {omega}{sub v} < 0.003 at 95% c.l.. However, for a sterile neutrino mass of {omega}{sub v} 0.25eV, {omega}{sub v} can be as large as 0.01.

• Research Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 899997
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-PUB-07-049-A
• Journal Information: New Astron.Rev.50:1020-1024,2006, Journal Name: New Astron.Rev.50:1020-1024,2006 Vol. 50
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
Astrophysics
Phenomenology-HEP
COSMOLOGY
ENERGY DENSITY
FORESTS
HYPOTHESIS
NEUTRINOS
PHYSICS
RELICT RADIATION