New constraints on neutrino masses from cosmology
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 Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11359
- OSTI ID:
- 899997
- Report Number(s):
- FERMILAB-PUB-07-049-A; TRN: US200720%%60
- Journal Information:
- New Astron.Rev.50:1020-1024,2006, Vol. 50
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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