Search for the Lepton Number Violating Process nu_mu-bar e^- -> mu^- nu_e-bar

Abstract

The NuTeV experiment at Fermilab has used a sign-selected neutrino beam to perform a search for the lepton number violating process nu_mu-bar e^- -> mu^- nu_e-bar, and to measure the cross-section of the Standard Model inverse muon decay process nu_mu e^- -> mu^- nu_e. NuTeV measures the inverse muon decay asymptotic cross-section sigma/E to be 13.8 +/- 1.2 +/- 1.4 x 10^-42 cm^2/GeV. The experiment also observes no evidence for lepton number violation and places one of the most restrictive limits on the LNV/IMD cross-section ratio at < 1.7% at 90% C.L. for V-A couplings and < 0.6% for scalar couplings.