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# Electron neutrino appearance in the MINOS experiment

## Citation

Orchanian, Mhair-Armen Hagop (2012) Electron neutrino appearance in the MINOS experiment. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05302012-124605015

## Abstract

This thesis describes a search for $\nu_e$ appearance in the two-detector long-baseline MINOS neutrino experiment at Fermilab, based on a data set representing an exposure of $8.2 \times 10^{20}$ protons on the NuMI target. The analysis detailed herein represents an increase in sensitivity to the $\theta_{13}$ mixing angle of approximately 25\% over previous analyses, due to improvements in the event discriminant and fitting technique. Based on our observation, we constrain the value of $\theta_{13}$ further, finding $2\sin^2 \theta_{23} \sin^2 2\theta_{13} < 0.12 (0.20)$ at the 90\% confidence level for $\delta_\mathrm{CP} = 0$ and the normal (inverted) neutrino mass hierarchy. The best-fit value is $2\sin^2 \theta_{23} \sin^2 2\theta_{13} = 0.041^{+0.047}_{-0.031} (0.079^{+0.071}_{-0.053})$ under the same assumptions. We exclude the $\theta_{13}=0$ hypothesis at the 89\% confidence level.

Item Type: Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.)) theta13 mass hierarchy CP violation appearance MINOS electron neutrino California Institute of Technology Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy Physics Public (worldwide access) Newman, Harvey B. Newman, Harvey B. (chair)Porter, Frank C.Weinstein, Alan JayWise, Mark B. 9 May 2012 CaltechTHESIS:05302012-124605015 http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05302012-124605015 No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided. 7097 CaltechTHESIS Mhair-Armen Orchanian 31 May 2012 20:23 26 Dec 2012 04:43

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