arXiv subjects

L. J. Flores

Publications and source records attributed to L. J. Flores.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Searching for generalized neutrino interactions in direct detection experiments with EνES

We investigate the sensitivity of present and future direct detection experiments to generalized neutrino interactions (GNI) through elastic neutrino electron scattering. Using data from LUX-ZEPLIN, PandaX-4T, and XENONnT, we derive constraints on vector, axial-vector, scalar, and tensor effective couplings, and compare them with existing limits. Our results show that current xenon-based detectors already provide competitive bounds, with XENONnT offering the most stringent constraints due to its larger exposure and reduced backgrounds. Among the GNI couplings, the scalar contributions remain more weakly constrained, while tensor interactions yield the strongest limits. We also present projected sensitivities for the DARWIN experiment, showing potential improvements. These results demonstrate the capability of direct detection experiments, originally designed for dark matter searches, to provide complementary and competitive constraints on generalized neutrino interactions.

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arXiv2026

Constraints on Light Sterile Neutrinos and Scalar Non-Standard Interactions Using the First Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation Results at JUNO

Constraints on light sterile neutrinos and scalar non-standard neutrino interactions are obtained from the first reactor antineutrino results reported by JUNO. The analysis is based on a spectral $χ^2$ fit to the prompt-energy distribution corresponding to 59.1 days of data, including full three-flavor oscillations extended to a $3+1$ framework and effective scalar NSI contributions. The reactor flux is modeled using the Daya Bay measured spectrum, and systematic uncertainties are accounted for through a set of nuisance parameters describing reactor flux normalization, spectral shape, background normalization, and detector response. It is found that JUNO is already sensitive to light sterile neutrinos in the mass-splitting range $10^{-5} \lesssim Δm^2_{41}/\text{eV}^2 \lesssim 10^{-2}$, probing mixing amplitudes down to $\sin^2 2θ_{14} \sim \mathcal{O}(10^{-1})$. In addition, a constraint on the scalar NSI parameter $|η_{ee}| < \mathcal{O}(10^{-2})$ is obtained, with correlations with solar oscillation parameters. These results demonstrate the potential of JUNO to probe small deviations from the Standard Model resulting from new physics through precision measurements, with significant improvements expected as statistics and systematic control improve.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Generalized Neutrino Interactions: constraints and parametrizations

Generalized neutrino interactions (GNI) are emerging as a convenient framework for describing effective scalar, vector, and tensor interactions. Such interactions arise naturally from extensions of the Standard Model that aim to explain neutrino properties and their mass origin. In this paper, we carefully study the two more common parametrizations for GNI and how to relate them. This allows us to compare bounds obtained from CEvNS and deep-inelastic scattering under the same footing. In addition, we present the current bounds from CEvNS measurements by COHERENT and compare them to those obtained from deep inelastic scattering on the same level. Our results focus on neutrino-quark interactions, and illustrate the complementarity between experiments working at different scales for GNI, showing that scalar interactions are better constrained by low-energy experiments like COHERENT, while tensor interactions are robustly constrained from deep inelastic scattering.

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arXiv2025

Exploring the Standard Model and Beyond from the Evidence of CE$ν$NS with Reactor Antineutrinos in CONUS+

The observation of the Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CE$ν$NS) process using reactor antineutrinos offers a unique opportunity to probe the Standard Model and explore Beyond the Standard Model scenarios. This study reports on the latest results from the CONUS+ experiment conducted at the Leibstadt nuclear power plant (KKL), Switzerland. The CONUS collaboration reports $395 \pm 106$ events detected from reactor antineutrinos with an exposure of 347 kg$\cdot$days, utilizing high-purity germanium detectors operated at sub-keV thresholds. A $χ^2$-based statistical analysis was performed on these results, incorporating systematic uncertainties. This analysis was used to extract the weak mixing angle, establish a limit on the neutrino magnetic moment, and impose constraints on neutrino non-standard interactions using reactor antineutrinos. The results confirm the potential of CE$ν$NS experiments in the study of fundamental neutrino properties and probing new physics.

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arXiv2024

Testing the non-unitarity of the leptonic mixing matrix at FASERν and FASERν2

The FASERν experiment has detected the first neutrino events coming from LHC. Near future high-statistic neutrino samples will allow us to search for new physics within the neutrino sector. Motivated by the forthcoming promising FASERν neutrino data, and its succesor, FASERν2, we study its potential for testing the unitarity of the neutrino lepton mixing matrix. Although it would be challenging for FASERν and FASERν2 to have strong constraints on this kind of new physics, we discuss its role in contributing to a future improved global analysis.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Examining the sensitivity of FASER to Generalized Neutrino Interactions

We investigate the sensitivity of the FASER$ν$ detector, a novel experimental setup at the LHC, to probe and constrain generalized neutrino interactions (GNI). Employing a comprehensive theoretical framework, we model the effects of generalized neutrino interactions on neutrino-nucleon deep inelastic scattering processes within the FASER$ν$ detector. By considering all the neutrino channels produced at the LHC, we perform a statistical analysis to determine the sensitivity of FASER$ν$ to constrain these interactions. Our results demonstrate that FASER$ν$ can place stringent constraints on the GNI effective couplings. Additionally, we study the relation between GNI and a minimal Leptoquark model where the SM is augmented by a singlet Leptoquark with hypercharge $1/3$. We have found that the sensitivities for various combinations of the Leptoquark Yukawa couplings are approximately $\mathcal{O}(1)$, particularly when considering a Leptoquark mass in the TeV range.

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arXiv2022

CE$ν$NS as a probe of flavored generalized neutrino interactions

We examine the potential to probe generalized neutrino interactions (GNI), exotic effective couplings due to new physics interactions beyond the Standard Model, in the coherent-elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering experiments in light of the latest COHERENT-CsI, and -LAr data. Our analysis focuses on scalar, vector and tensor flavored-GNI parameters. A combined analysis has been made to constrain these exotic couplings for the CsI and LAr detector. We further add the projected forthcoming reactor-based Scintillating Bubble Chamber detector to examine these couplings. It has been observed that the addition of reactor data strongly constrained electron flavor GNI.

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arXiv2022

New Physics searches in a low threshold scintillating argon bubble chamber measuring coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering in reactors

The sensitivity to New Physics of a low threshold scintillating argon bubble chamber measuring coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering in reactors is reported. Namely, light scalar mediators, sterile neutrino oscillations, unitarity violation, and non-standard interactions are studied. The results indicate that this detector could be able to set stronger constraints than current limits set by the recent COHERENT measurements. Considering the best scenario, a 100 kg detector located 30 m from a 2000 MW$_{th}$ reactor, a sterile neutrino search would cover most of the space parameter allowed from the reactor anti-neutrino anomaly fit. Unitarity violation studies could set constraints on $α_{11}$ more stringent than the current oscillation experiments fit. A low threshold argon detector with very low backgrounds has the potential to explore New Physics in different scenarios and set competitive constraints.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Impact of COHERENT measurements, cross section uncertainties and new interactions on the neutrino floor

We reconsider the discovery limit of multi-ton direct detection dark matter experiments in the light of recent measurements of the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering process. Assuming the cross section to be a parameter entirely determined by data, rather than using its Standard Model prediction, we use the COHERENT CsI and LAr data sets to determine WIMP discovery limits. Being based on a data-driven approach, the results are thus free from theoretical assumptions and fall within the WIMP mass regions where XENONnT and DARWIN have best expected sensitivities. We further determine the impact of subleading nuclear form factor and weak mixing angle uncertainties effects on WIMP discovery limits. We point out that these effects, albeit small, should be taken into account. Moreover, to quantify the impact of new physics effects in the neutrino background, we revisit WIMP discovery limits assuming light vector and scalar mediators as well as neutrino magnetic moments/transitions. We stress that the presence of new interactions in the neutrino sector, in general, tend to worsen the WIMP discovery limit.

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arXiv2021

Complementarity between dark matter direct searches and CE$ν$NS experiments in $U(1)'$ models

We explore the possibility of having a fermionic dark matter candidate within $U(1)'$ models for CE$ν$NS experiments in light of the latest COHERENT data and the current and future dark matter direct detection experiments. A vector-like fermionic dark matter has been introduced which is charged under $U(1)'$ symmetry, naturally stable after spontaneous symmetry breaking. We perform a complementary investigation using CE$ν$NS experiments and dark matter direct detection searches to explore dark matter as well as $Z^{\prime}$ boson parameter space. Depending on numerous other constraints arising from the beam dump, LHCb, BABAR, and the forthcoming reactor experiment proposed by the SBC collaboration, we explore the allowed region of $Z^{\prime}$ portal dark matter.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Global constraints on neutral-current generalized neutrino interactions

We study generalized neutrino interactions (GNI) for several neutrino processes, including neutrinos from electron-positron collisions, neutrino-electron scattering, and neutrino deep inelastic scattering. We constrain scalar, pseudoscalar, and tensor new physics effective couplings, based on the standard model effective field theory at low energies. We have performed a global analysis for the different effective couplings. We also present the different individual constraints for each effective parameter (scalar, pseudoscalar, and tensor). Being a global analysis, we show robust results for the restrictions on the different GNI parameters and improve some of these bounds.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Physics reach of a low threshold scintillating argon bubble chamber in coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering reactor experiments

The physics reach of a low threshold (100 eV) scintillating argon bubble chamber sensitive to Coherent Elastic neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CE$ν$NS) from reactor neutrinos is studied. The sensitivity to the weak mixing angle, neutrino magnetic moment, and a light $Z'$ gauge boson mediator are analyzed. A Monte Carlo simulation of the backgrounds is performed to assess their contribution to the signal. The analysis shows that world-leading sensitivities are achieved with a one-year exposure for a 10 kg chamber at 3 m from a 1 MW$_{th}$ research reactor or a 100 kg chamber at 30 m from a 2000 MW$_{th}$ power reactor. Such a detector has the potential to become the leading technology to study CE$ν$NS using nuclear reactors.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Axionlike particles searches in reactor experiments

Reactor neutrino experiments provide a rich environment for the study of axionlike particles (ALPs). Using the intense photon flux produced in the nuclear reactor core, these experiments have the potential to probe ALPs with masses below 10 MeV. We explore the feasibility of these searches by considering ALPs produced through Primakoff and Compton-like processes as well as nuclear transitions. These particles can subsequently interact with the material of a nearby detector via inverse Primakoff and inverse Compton-like scatterings, via axio-electric absorption, or they can decay into photon or electron-positron pairs. We demonstrate that reactor-based neutrino experiments have a high potential to test ALP-photon couplings and masses, currently probed only by cosmological and astrophysical observations, thus providing complementary laboratory-based searches. We furthermore show how reactor facilities will be able to test previously unexplored regions in the $\sim$MeV ALP mass range and ALP-electron couplings of the order of $g_{aee} \sim 10^{-8}$ as well as ALP-nucleon couplings of the order of $g_{ann}^{(1)} \sim 10^{-9}$, testing regions beyond TEXONO and Borexino limits.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Light vector mediators facing XENON1T data

Recently the XENON1T collaboration has released new results on searches for new physics in low-energy electronic recoils. The data shows an excess over background in the low-energy tail, particularly pronounced at about $2-3$ keV. With an exposure of $0.65$ tonne-year, large detection efficiency and energy resolution, the detector is sensitive as well to solar neutrino backgrounds, with the most prominent contribution given by $pp$ neutrinos. We investigate whether such signal can be explained in terms of new neutrino interactions with leptons mediated by a light vector particle. We find that the excess is consistent with this interpretation for vector masses below $\lesssim 0.1$ MeV. The region of parameter space probed by the XENON1T data is competitive with constraints from laboratory experiments, in particular GEMMA, Borexino and TEXONO. However we point out a severe tension with astrophysical bounds and cosmological observations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Non-standard neutrino interactions in $U(1)'$ model after COHERENT data

We explore the potential to prove light extra gauge $Z^\prime$ boson inducing non-standard neutrino interactions (NSIs) in the coherent-elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ ν$NS) experiments. We intend to examine how the latest COHERENT-CsI and CENNS-10 data can constrain this model. A detailed investigation for the upcoming Ge, LAr-1t, and NaI detectors of COHERENT collaboration has also been made. Depending on numerous other constraints coming from oscillation experiments, muon $ (g-2) $, beam-dump experiments, LHCb, and reactor experiment CONUS, we explore the parameter space in $Z^\prime$ boson mass vs coupling constant plane. Moreover, we study the predictions of two-zero textures that are allowed in the concerned model in light of the latest global-fit data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Neutrino counting experiments and non-unitarity from LEP and future experiments

Non-unitarity of the neutrino mixing matrix is expected in many scenarios with physics beyond the Standard Model. Motivated by the search for deviations from unitary, we study two neutrino counting observables: the neutrino-antineutrino gamma process and the invisible $Z$ boson decay into neutrinos. We report on new constraints for non-unitarity coming from the first of this observables. We study the potential constraints that future collider experiments will give from the invisible decay of the Z boson, that will be measured with improved precision.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Exploring NSI degeneracies in long-baseline experiments

One of the main purposes of long-baseline neutrino experiments is to unambiguously measure the CP violating phase in the neutrino sector within the three neutrino oscillation picture. In the presence of physics beyond the Standard Model, the determination of the CP phase will be more difficult, due to the already known degeneracy problem. Working in the framework of non-standard interactions (NSI), we compute the appearance probabilities in an exact analytical formulation and analyze the region of parameters where the confusion problem is present. We also discuss some cases where the falsification of the NSI parameters can be done in long-baseline experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Matter neutrino oscillations, an approximation in a parametrization-free framework

Neutrino oscillations are one of the most studied and successful phenomena since the establishment of the solar neutrino problem in late 1960's. In this work we discuss the exact expressions for the probability P_{αβ} in a constant density medium, in terms of the standard vacuum parameters and the medium density. Besides of being compact, these expressions are independent of any particular parametrization, which could be helpful in the application of unitary tests of the mixing matrix. In addition, we introduce a new approximation on P_{αβ} and compare it with the most commonly used, discussing their main differences.

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