Unbinned test of time-dependent signals in real-time neutrino oscillation experiments

Abstract

Real-time neutrino oscillation experiments such as Super-Kamiokande (SK), the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO), the Kamioka Liquid scintillator Anti-Neutrino Detector (KamLAND), and Borexino, can detect time variations of the neutrino signal, provided that the statistics is sufficiently high. We quantify this statement by means of a simple unbinned test, whose sensitivity depends on the variance of the signal in the time domain, as well as on the total number of signal and background events. The test allows a unified discussion of the statistical uncertainties affecting current or future measurements of eccentricity-induced variations and of day-night asymmetries (in SK, SNO, and Borexino), as well as of reactor power variations (in KamLAND).

17 pages, including 3 figures

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Global analysis of three-flavor neutrino masses and mixings
• Neutrino Oscillations as a Probe of Light Scalar Dark Matter
• KamLAND neutrino spectra in energy and time: Indications for reactor power variations and constraints on the georeactor
• Relic neutrino detection through angular correlations in inverse $\beta$-decay
• Sub-GeV Dark Matter Direct Detection with Neutrino Observatories