Fourier analysis of real-time, high-statistics solar neutrino observations

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Abstract
Solar neutrino oscillations with wavelengths comparable to the Earth-Sun distance provide a viable explanation of the long-standing solar neutrino deficit. They imply a time-dependent modulation of the solar neutrino flux due to the eccentricity of the Earth orbit. Motivated by this testable prediction, we propose a Fourier analysis of the signal observable in real-time, solar neutrino experiments. We give the general expressions of the Fourier coefficients and of their correlated uncertainties in the presence of background. The expressions assume a particularly compact form in the case of two-flavor neutrino oscillations in vacuum. We discuss the sensitivity to the lowest harmonics of the new-generation, high-statistics experiments SuperKamiokande, Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, and Borexino.
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