Baseline and other effects for a sterile neutrino at DUNE

Abstract

We analyze the sensitivity of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to a sterile neutrino, combining information from both near and far detectors. We quantify often-neglected effects which may impact the event rate estimation in a 3+1 oscillation scenario. In particular, we find that taking into account the information on the neutrino production point, in contrast to assuming a pointlike neutrino source, affects DUNE's sterile exclusion reach. Visible differences remain after the inclusion of energy bin-to-bin uncorrelated systematics. Instead, implementing exact oscillation formulae for near detector events, including a two slab density profile, does not result in any visible change in the sensitivity.