Toward First Detection of the Solar Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein Transition with JUNO
Abstract
Matter-induced neutrino flavor mixing (the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein, or MSW, effect) is a central prediction of the neutrino mixing framework, but it has not been conclusively observed. Direct observation of the energy-dependent MSW transition in the solar electron-neutrino survival probability would solve this, but backgrounds have been prohibitive. We show that our new technique for suppressing muon-induced spallation backgrounds will allow JUNO to measure the MSW transition at >4σ significance in 10 years. This would strongly support upcoming multibillion-dollar next-generation experiments and their goals in cementing the neutrino mixing framework.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical Review Letters
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 137
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 081801–081801
- Publication date
- 14 July 2026
- Language
- EN