Neutrino-Induced Reactions on Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive theoretical framework using the GiBUU model to accurately simulate neutrino-nucleus interactions, matching experimental data across various energies and experiments without tuning.

Contribution

It introduces an improved, tuning-free, quantum-kinetic transport theory framework for lepton-nucleus interactions, capable of describing complete reaction final states.

Findings

Good agreement with neutrino and antineutrino cross-section data from MiniBooNE and T2K.

Successful description of electron-induced inclusive cross sections.

Applicable to various experiments and energy regimes without additional tuning.

Abstract

Background: Long-baseline experiments such as the planned Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) require theoretical descriptions of the complete event in a neutrino-nucleus reaction. Since nuclear targets are used this requires a good understanding of neutrino-nucleus interactions. Purpose: Develop a consistent theory and code framework for the description of lepton-nucleus interactions that can be used to describe not only inclusive cross sections, but also the complete final state of the reaction. Methods: The Giessen-Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (GiBUU) implementation of quantum-kinetic transport theory is used, with improvements in its treatment of the nuclear ground state and of 2p2h interactions. For the latter an empirical structure function from electron scattering data is used as a basis. Results: Results for electron-induced inclusive cross sections are given as a necessary check for the overall quality of this approach. The calculated neutrino-induced inclusive double-differential cross sections show good agreement with data from neutrino- and antineutrino reactions for different neutrino flavors at MiniBooNE and T2K. Inclusive double-differential cross sections for MicroBooNE, NOvA, MINERvA and LBNF/DUNE are given. Conclusions: Based on the GiBUU model of lepton-nucleus descriptions a good theoretical description of inclusive electron-, neutrino- and antineutrino-nucleus data over a wide range of energies, different neutrino flavors and different experiments is now possible. Since no tuning is involved this theory and code should be reliable also for new energy regimes and target masses. \end{description}