Solving the Solar Neutrino Puzzle with KamLAND and Solar Data

Abstract

We study what will be learnt about the solar neutrino puzzle and solar neutrino oscillations once the data from the KamLAND reactor neutrino experiment (soon to become available) are combined with those from the current solar neutrino experiments. We find that, in agreement with previous estimates, if the solution to the solar neutrino puzzle falls on the LMA region, KamLAND should be able to ``pin-point'' the right solution with unprecedented accuracy after a few years of data taking. Furthermore, the light side ($θ<π/4$) can be separated from the dark side ($θ>π/4$) at the 95% confidence level (CL) for most of the LMA region allowed by the current data at the 99% CL, while the addition of the KamLAND data need not improve our ability to limit a sterile component in ``solar'' oscillations. If KamLAND does not see an oscillation signal, the solar data would point to the LOW/VAC regions, while the SMA region would still lurk at the two sigma CL, meaning we would probably have to wait for Borexino data in order to finally piece the solar neutrino puzzle.