Neutrino/antineutrino-$^{12}$C charged cross sections in the projected QRPA formalism

TL;DR

This paper evaluates neutrino and antineutrino-$^{12}$C charged current cross sections using the projected QRPA method, providing new calculations for antineutrinos and comparing with other models, with implications for astrophysics.

Contribution

The study introduces the first PQRPA-based calculation of antineutrino-$^{12}$C cross sections and compares neutrino results with recent models, enhancing theoretical understanding.

Findings

PQRPA cross sections agree with other models for neutrinos.

First PQRPA calculation of antineutrino-$^{12}$C cross sections.

Comparison of flux-averaged cross sections for future experiments.

Abstract

The $\nu/\bar{\nu}-^{12}$C cross sections are evaluated in the projected quasiparticle random phase approximation (PQRPA). The cross section for $\nu_e$ as a function of the incident neutrino energy is compared with recent theoretical calculations of more sophisticated models. The $\bar{\nu}-^{12}$C cross section is calculated for the first time with the PQRPA. The distribution of cross sections averaged with the Michel spectrum as well as with other estimated fluxes for future experiments is compared for both $\nu_e$ and $\bar{\nu}_e$. Some astrophysical implications are addressed.