BBN CONSTRAINTS ON NEUTRINO OSCILLATIONS PARAMETERS RELAXED OR STRENGTHENED

Abstract

Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) with nonequilibrium νe ↔ νs oscillations, in the more general case of non-zero population of νs before oscillations δNs ≠ 0, is discussed. 4 He primordial production Yp(δNs) in the presence of νe ↔ νs oscillations for different initial populations of the sterile neutrino state 0 ≤ δ Ns ≤ 1 and the full range of oscillation parameters is calculated. Non-zero δNs has a two-fold effect on 4 He : (i) it enhances the energy density and hence increases the cosmic expansion rate, leading to Ypoverproduction, and (ii) it suppresses the kinetic effects of oscillations on BBN, namely, the effects on pre-BBN nucleon kinetics, caused by the νe energy spectrum distortion and the [Formula: see text] asymmetry generation by oscillations, leading to decreased Yp production. Depending on oscillation parameters one or the other effect may dominate, causing, correspondingly, either a relaxation of the cosmological constraints or their strengthening with the increase of δNs. More general BBN constraints on νe ↔ νs oscillation parameters, corresponding to 3% Yp overproduction, for different initial populations of the sterile state are calculated. Previous BBN constraints were derived assuming empty sterile state before oscillations. It is shown that the cosmological constraints strengthen with the increase of δNs value, the change being more considerable for nonresonant oscillations.