Neutrinos are small subatomic particles that hardly connect with matter. They can travel through worlds without stopping.

The Standard Model of particle physics mentions there are 3 kinds of neutrinos: electron, muon and tau.

These particles can alter from one type to another, a procedure called oscillation.

In previous experiments, scientists saw neutrinos that appeared to alter in methods that didn’t fit the Standard Model.

To discuss this, researchers proposed a 4th type: the sterilized neutrino. Unlike the others, it would be a lot more tough to spot due to the fact that it would not communicate with matter at all, other than through gravity.

“The presence of 3 unique neutrino tastes is a main tenet of the Standard Model of particle physics,” stated Dr. Andrew Mastbaum, a physicist at Rutgers University and a member of the MicroBooNE management group, and associates.

“Quantum-mechanical disturbance can enable a neutrino of one preliminary taste to be spotted at some point later on as a various taste, a procedure called neutrino oscillation.”

“Several anomalous observations irregular with this three-flavor image have actually encouraged the hypothesis that an extra neutrino state exists, which does not engage straight with matter, described as ‘sterilized’ neutrino.”

In their experiments, the MicroBooNE physicists observed neutrinos from 2 various beams and determined how they oscillate.

After 10 years of information collection and analysis, they discovered no indication of sterilized neutrinos, closing the door on among the most popular descriptions for weird neutrino habits.

“This outcome is a turning point,” Dr. Mastbaum stated.

“This outcome will trigger ingenious concepts throughout neutrino research study to comprehend what is actually going on.”

“We can eliminate a terrific suspect, however that does not rather resolve a secret.”

“The Standard Model does not describe whatever, consisting of dark matter, dark energy or gravity, so researchers are looking for hints that point beyond the design,” he included.

“Eliminating one possibility assists focus the search on other concepts that might result in developments in comprehending deep space.”

The brand-new outcome will likewise assist future experiments, consisting of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).

“With mindful modeling and creative analysis methods, the MicroBooNE group has actually squeezed an unbelievable quantity of info out of this detector,” Dr. Mastbaum stated.

“With the next generation of experiments, such as DUNE, we are currently utilizing these methods to deal with much more basic concerns about the nature of matter and the presence of deep space.”

The group’s outcomes were released in the journal Nature

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MicroBooNE Collaboration. 2025. Look for light sterilized neutrinos with 2 neutrino beams at MicroBooNE. Nature 648, 64-69; doi: 10.1038/ s41586-025-09757-7