Bounds and Implications of Neutrino Magnetic Moments from Atmospheric Neutrino Data

Abstract

The neutral current effects of the future high statistics atmospheric neutrino data can be used to distinguish the mechanisms between a $ν_μ$ oscillation to a tau neutrino or to a sterile neutrino. However, if neutrinos possess large diagonal and/or transition magnetic moments, the neutrino magnetic moments can contribute to the neutral current effects which can be studied by the single $π^0$ production events in the Super-K data. This effect should be included in the future analyses of atmospheric data in the determination of $ν_μ$ to tau or sterile neutrino oscillation.

17 pages including 3 eps figures