# Impact of the inelastic proton -- nucleus cross section on the prompt neutrino flux

## TL;DR

This paper examines how different models of the inelastic proton-nucleus cross section at high energies influence predictions of the prompt neutrino flux, highlighting the need for precise measurements to reduce uncertainties in cosmic ray and neutrino physics.

## Contribution

The study compares various models of the inelastic proton-nucleus cross section at ultrahigh energies and assesses their impact on prompt neutrino flux predictions.

## Key findings

- Predictions for prompt neutrino flux vary by a factor of three depending on the model used.
- Different models of $\sigma_{inel}^{pA}$ lead to significant uncertainties in neutrino flux estimates.
- Emphasizes the importance of precise measurements of the inelastic proton-nucleus cross section at high energies.

## Abstract

The description of the inelastic proton -- nucleus cross section at very high energies is still an open question. The current theoretical uncertainty has direct impact on the predictions of the cosmic ray and neutrino physics observables. In this paper we consider different models for the treatment of $\sigma_{inel}^{pA}$, compare its predictions at ultrahigh cosmic ray energies and estimate the prompt neutrino flux at the neutrino energies that have been probed by the IceCube Observatory. We demonstrate that depending of the model used to describe $\sigma_{inel}^{pA}$, the predictions for the prompt neutrino flux can differ by a factor of order of three. Such result demonstrate the importance of a precise measurement of the inelastic proton -- nucleus cross section at high energies.