Search for new physics with neutrinos at radioactive ion beam facilities

Abstract

We propose applications of radioactive ion beam facilities to investigate physics beyond the Standard Model. In particular, we focus upon the search for sterile neutrinos and the possible measurement of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering, by means of a low-energy beta beam with a Lorentz boost factor $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\approx}1$. In both cases, we consider $^{8}\mathrm{Li}$ and $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ ions as neutrino sources. In the considered setup, the collected radioactive ions are sent inside a $4\ensuremath{\pi}$ detector. For the first application, we provide the number of events associated with neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering, when the detector is filled with a noble liquid. For the sterile search, we consider that the spherical detector is filled with a liquid scintillator, and that the neutrino detection channel is inverse beta decay. We provide the exclusion curves for the sterile neutrino mixing parameters, based upon the $3+1$ formalism, depending upon the achievable ion intensity. Our results are obtained both from total rates, and by including spectral information with binning in energy and in distance. The proposed experiment represents a possible alternative to clarify the current anomalies observed in neutrino experiments.