Present theoretical uncertainties on charm hadroproduction in QCD and prompt neutrino fluxes

TL;DR

This paper discusses the theoretical uncertainties in charm hadroproduction calculations within QCD and their impact on predicting prompt neutrino fluxes, crucial for astrophysical neutrino detection.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the sources of theoretical uncertainties in charm hadroproduction and quantifies their effects on prompt neutrino flux predictions.

Findings

Quantitative estimates of uncertainty contributions to neutrino flux predictions

Identification of dominant sources of theoretical uncertainty

Improved understanding of charm hadroproduction in QCD

Abstract

Prompt neutrino fluxes are basic backgrounds in the search of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin, performed by means of full-size neutrino telescopes located at Earth, under ice or under water. Predictions for these fluxes are provided on the basis of up-to-date theoretical results for charm hadroproduction in perturbative QCD, together with a comprehensive discussion of the various sources of theoretical uncertainty affecting their computation, and a quantitative estimate of each uncertainty contribution.