C. W. Sterner

Bio: C. W. Sterner is an academic researcher from University of California, Irvine. The author has contributed to research in topics: Neutrino & Super-Kamiokande. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 6 publications receiving 1820 citations.

Measurement of atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters by Super-Kamiokande I

Abstract: We present a combined analysis of fully-contained, partially-contained and upward-going muon atmospheric neutrino data from a 1489 d exposure of the Super-Kamiokande detector. The data samples span roughly five decades in neutrino energy, from 100 MeV to 10 TeV. A detailed Monte Carlo comparison is described and presented. The data is fit to the Monte Carlo expectation, and is found to be consistent with neutrino oscillations of {nu}{sub {mu}}{r_reversible}{nu}{sub {tau}} with sin{sup 2}2{theta}>0.92 and 1.5x10{sup -3}<{delta}m{sup 2}<3.4x10{sup -3} eV{sup 2} at 90% confidence level.

Evidence for an Oscillatory Signature in Atmospheric Neutrino Oscillations

Abstract: Muon neutrino disappearance probability as a function of neutrino flight length $L$ over neutrino energy $E$ was studied. A dip in the $L/E$ distribution was observed in the data, as predicted from the sinusoidal flavor transition probability of neutrino oscillation. The observed $L/E$ distribution constrained ${\ensuremath{ u}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}{\ensuremath{ u}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ neutrino oscillation parameters; $1.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}l\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}^{2}l3.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}}^{2}$ and ${sin }^{2}2\ensuremath{\theta}g0.90$ at 90% confidence level.

Search for dark matter WIMPs using upward through-going muons in Super-Kamiokande

Abstract: We present the results of indirect searches for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), with 1679.6 live days of data from the Super-Kamiokande detector using neutrino-induced upward through-going muons. The search is performed by looking for an excess of high energy muon neutrinos from WIMP annihilations in the Sun, the core of the Earth, and the Galactic Center, as compared to the number expected from the atmospheric neutrino background. No statistically significant excess was seen. We calculate the flux limits in various angular cones around each of the above celestial objects. We obtain conservative model-independent upper limits on the WIMP-nucleon cross section as a function of WIMP mass, and compare these results with the corresponding results from direct dark matter detection experiments.

Three flavor neutrino oscillation analysis of atmospheric neutrinos in Super-Kamiokande

Abstract: We report on the results of a three-flavor oscillation analysis using Super-Kamiokande I atmospheric neutrino data, with the assumption of one mass scale dominance ($\ensuremath{\Delta}{m}_{12}^{2}=0$). No significant flux change due to matter effect, which occurs when neutrinos propagate inside the Earth for ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}\ensuremath{ e}0$, has been seen either in a multi-GeV ${\ensuremath{ u}}_{e}$-rich sample or in a ${\ensuremath{ u}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$-rich sample. Both normal and inverted mass hierarchy hypotheses are tested and both are consistent with observation. Using Super-Kamiokande data only, 2-dimensional 90% confidence allowed regions are obtained: mixing angles are constrained to ${sin }^{2}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}l0.14$ and $0.37l{sin }^{2}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{23}l0.65$ for the normal mass hierarchy. Weaker constraints, ${sin }^{2}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{13}l0.27$ and $0.37l{sin }^{2}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{23}l0.69$, are obtained for the inverted mass hierarchy case.

Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment using 1496 days of Super-Kamiokande-I solar neutrino data.

Abstract: A search for a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment has been conducted using 1496 live days of solar neutrino data from Super-Kamiokande-I. Specifically, we searched for distortions to the energy spectrum of recoil electrons arising from magnetic scattering due to a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment. In the absence of a clear signal, we found micro(nu)

Cosmological constraints from the SDSS luminous red galaxies

Abstract: We measure the large-scale real-space power spectrum P(k) using luminous red galaxies (LRGs) in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and use this measurement to sharpen constraints on cosmological parameters from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). We employ a matrix-based power spectrum estimation method using Pseudo-Karhunen-Loeve eigenmodes, producing uncorrelated minimum-variance measurements in 20 k-bands of both the clustering power and its anisotropy due to redshift-space distortions, with narrow and well-behaved window functions in the range 0.01h/Mpc 0.1h/Mpc and associated nonlinear complications, yet agree well with more aggressive published analyses where nonlinear modeling is crucial.

Cosmological parameter analysis including SDSS Lyα forest and galaxy bias: Constraints on the primordial spectrum of fluctuations, neutrino mass, and dark energy

Abstract: We combine the constraints from the recent Ly$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forest analysis of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the SDSS galaxy bias analysis with previous constraints from SDSS galaxy clustering, the latest supernovae, and 1st year WMAP cosmic microwave background anisotropies. We find significant improvements on all of the cosmological parameters compared to previous constraints, which highlights the importance of combining Ly$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forest constraints with other probes. Combining WMAP and the Ly$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forest we find for the primordial slope ${n}_{s}=0.98\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$. We see no evidence of running, $dn/d\mathrm{ln} k=\ensuremath{-}0.003\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010$, a factor of $3$ improvement over previous constraints. We also find no evidence of tensors, $rl0.36$ ($95%$ c.l.). Inflationary models predict the absence of running and many among them satisfy these constraints, particularly negative curvature models such as those based on spontaneous symmetry breaking. A positive correlation between tensors and primordial slope disfavors chaotic inflation-type models with steep slopes: while the $V\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\phi}}^{2}$ model is within the 2-sigma contour, $V\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\phi}}^{4}$ is outside the 3-sigma contour. For the amplitude we find ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{8}=0.90\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03$ from the Ly$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forest and WMAP alone. We find no evidence of neutrino mass: for the case of $3$ massive neutrino families with an inflationary prior, $\ensuremath{\sum}_{}^{}{m}_{\ensuremath{ u}}l0.42$ eV and the mass of lightest neutrino is ${m}_{1}l0.13$ eV at $95%$ c.l. For the 3 massless $+1$ massive neutrino case we find ${m}_{\ensuremath{ u}}l0.79$ eV for the massive neutrino, excluding at $95%$ c.l. all neutrino mass solutions compatible with the LSND results. We explore dark energy constraints in models with a fairly general time dependence of dark energy equation of state, finding ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}=0.72\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$, $\mathrm{w}(z=0.3)=\ensuremath{-}{0.98}_{\ensuremath{-}0.12}^{+0.10}$, the latter changing to $\mathrm{w}(z=0.3)=\ensuremath{-}{0.92}_{\ensuremath{-}0.10}^{+0.09}$ if tensors are allowed. We find no evidence for variation of the equation of state with redshift, $\mathrm{w}(z=1)=\ensuremath{-}{1.03}_{\ensuremath{-}0.28}^{+0.21}$. These results rely on the current understanding of the Ly$\ensuremath{\alpha}$ forest and other probes, which need to be explored further both observationally and theoretically, but extensive tests reveal no evidence of inconsistency among different data sets used here.

Modern Tests of Lorentz Invariance

Abstract: Motivated by ideas about quantum gravity, a tremendous amount of effort over the past decade has gone into testing Lorentz invariance in various regimes. This review summarizes both the theoretical frameworks for tests of Lorentz invariance and experimental advances that have made new high precision tests possible. The current constraints on Lorentz violating effects from both terrestrial experiments and astrophysical observations are presented.

Dark Matter Candidates from Particle Physics and Methods of Detection

Abstract: The identity of dark matter is a question of central importance in both astrophysics and particle physics. In the past, the leading particle candidates were cold and collisionless, and typically predicted missing energy signals at particle colliders. However, recent progress has greatly expanded the list of well-motivated candidates and the possible signatures of dark matter. This review begins with a brief summary of the standard model of particle physics and its outstanding problems. We then discuss several dark matter candidates motivated by these problems, including WIMPs, superWIMPs, light gravitinos, hidden dark matter, sterile neutrinos, and axions. For each of these, we critically examine the particle physics motivations and present their expected production mechanisms, basic properties, and implications for direct and indirect detection, particle colliders, and astrophysical observations. Upcoming experiments will discover or exclude many of these candidates, and progress may open up an era of unprecedented synergy between studies of the largest and smallest observable length scales.

Dark Matter Candidates from Particle Physics and Methods of Detection

Abstract: The identity of dark matter is a question of central importance in both astrophysics and particle physics. In the past, the leading particle candidates were cold and collisionless, and typically predicted missing energy signals at particle colliders. However, recent progress has greatly expanded the list of well-motivated candidates and the possible signatures of dark matter. This review begins with a brief summary of the standard model of particle physics and its outstanding problems. I then discuss several dark matter candidates motivated by these problems, including weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), superWIMPs, light gravitinos, hidden dark matter, sterile neutrinos, and axions. For each of these, I critically examine the particle physics motivations and present their expected production mechanisms, basic properties, and implications for direct and indirect detection, particle colliders, and astrophysical observations. Upcoming experiments will discover or exclude many of these candidates, and progress may open up an era of unprecedented synergy between studies of the largest and smallest observable length scales.