This paper introduces an experimental probe of the sterile neutrino with a novel, high-intensity source of electron antineutrinos from the production and subsequent decay of ${}^8\mathrm{Li}$. When paired with an existing $\sim 1$ kton scintillator-based detector, this $⟨E_{\nu }⟩=6.4$ MeV source opens a wide range of possible searches for beyond standard model physics via studies of the inverse beta decay interaction ${\overline{\nu }}_e+p\to e^{+}+n$. In particular, the experimental design described here has unprecedented sensitivity to ${\overline{\nu }}_e$ disappearance at $\Delta m^2\sim 1{\mathrm{eV}}^2$ and features the ability to distinguish between the existence of zero, one, and two sterile neutrinos.

• Received 24 May 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.141802