Detector response and the 17 keV neutrino

The 17 keV neutrino, proposed by Simpson in 1985, may be an artifact of the data analysis which includes an oversimplified response function for monoenergetic electrons. This function was assumed to contain a backscatter fraction that is independent of energy. It is demonstrated that, when artificial 'data' are simulated for an external-source beta decay experiment with a realistic response function containing an energy-dependent backscatter fraction, but are analyzed with a response function containing a constant backscatter fraction, an artifact roughly equivalent to a 17 keV neutrino emerges. (orig.)