Reconciling neutrino anomalies in a simple four-neutrino scheme with R-parity violation

Abstract

We propose a simple extension of the MSSM based on extra compact dimensions which includes an $SU(2) \otimes U(1)$ singlet superfield. The fermion present in this superfield is the sterile neutrino, which combines with one linear combination of $ν_e-ν_μ-ν_τ$ to form a Dirac pair whose mass accounts for the LSND anomaly. Its small mass can be ascribed to a volume suppression factor associated with extra compact dimensions. On the other hand the sterile neutrino scalar partner can trigger the spontaneous violation of R-parity, thereby inducing the necessary mass splittings to fit also the solar and atmospheric neutrino data. Thus the model can explain all neutrino oscillation data. It leads to four predictions for the neutrino oscillation parameters and implies that the atmospheric neutrino problem must include at least some $ν_μ \to ν_s$ oscillations, which will be testable in the near future. Moreover it also predicts that the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) decays visibly via lepton number violating modes, which could be searched for at present and future accelerators.