NOvA 2026 sterile neutrino search official data release

This data release corresponds to the 2026 search for sterile neutrinos in the NOvA data using $\nu_{\mu}$ disappearance and NC disappearance.

Samples, binning, and exposures:

• $\nu$

  -mode ND $\nu_{\mu}$CC, 22 bins, 13.8e20 POT* $\nu$-mode FD $\nu_{\mu}$CC, 22 bins, 26.6e20 POT* $\bar{\nu}$-mode ND $\bar{\nu}_{\mu}$CC, 22 bins, 11.4e20 POT* $\bar{\nu}$-mode FD $\bar{\nu}_{\mu}$CC, 22 bins, 12.5e20 POT* $\nu$-mode ND NC, 14 bins, 13.8e20 POT* $\nu$-mode FD NC, 14 bins, 26.6e20 POT* $\bar{\nu}$-mode ND NC, 13 bins, 11.4e20 POT* $\bar{\nu}$-mode FD NC, 13 bins, 12.5e20 POT* $\nu$-mode ND $\nu$-on-e, 6 bins, 13.8e20 POT

File nova-2026-steriles-results-numudis-ncdis-nu-anu.root contains:

• Final analysis 90\% CL contours in $\Delta m^2_{41}$-$\sin^{2}\theta_{24}$ and $\Delta m^2_{41}$-$\sin^{2}\theta_{34}$ spaces.* Data spectra for each of the nine analysis samples.* Prediction objects (event distributions in $E_{\mathrm{reco}}^{\nu}$-$E_{\mathrm{true}}^{\nu}$ space for far detector samples, $E_{\mathrm{reco}}^{\nu}$-$L/E_{\mathrm{true}}^{\nu}$ for near detector samples) for each sample, split by oscillation channel, allowing for oscillations to be applied. Each prediction is normalised to the correct data POT/livetime so as to allow direct comparison. When using the predictions, note that the components use a naming convention that is {original flavor}{oscillated flavor}Comp , with the flavours being M (muon neutrino), AM (muon antineutrino), E (electron neutrino), AE (electron …