Lepton kinematics in low energy neutrino-Argon interactions

TL;DR

This paper calculates differential cross sections for low-energy neutrino-Argon interactions, highlighting the significant impact of forbidden transitions on lepton kinematics, which can influence experimental interpretations.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed Continuum Random Phase Approximation model for low-energy neutrino-nucleus scattering, emphasizing the role of forbidden transitions and comparing results with existing event generators.

Findings

Forbidden transitions significantly affect lepton kinematic distributions.

Discrepancies observed between model results and MARLEY event generator.

Backward scattering is more prominent than previously modeled.

Abstract

Background: Neutrinos in the low-energy regime provide a gateway to a wealth of interesting physics. While plenty of literature exists on detailing the calculation and measurement of total reaction strengths, relatively little attention is paid to the measurement and modeling of the final lepton through differential cross sections at low energies, despite the experimental importance. Purpose: We calculate differential cross sections for low-energy neutrino-nucleus scattering. We examine the role played by forbidden transitions in these distributions and how this differs across different energies and nuclear target masses. Attention is also paid to predictions for typical experimental neutrino spectra. Method: The differential cross sections are calculated within a Continuum Random Phase Approximation framework, which allows us to include collective excitations induced by long-range correlations. The Coulomb interaction of the final lepton in charged current events is treated in an effective way. Results: Kinematic distributions are calculated for $^{16}$O, $^{40}$Ar and $^{208}$Pb. $^{40}$Ar model results are compared for CC ($\nu_e,e^-$) reactions to events generated by the MARLEY event generator, with noticeable discrepancies. Conclusion: Forbidden transitions have a marked effect on the kinematic distributions of the final lepton at low-energy kinematics, such as for DAR neutrinos or for a Fermi-Dirac spectrum at low temperature. This could introduce biases in experimental analyses. Backwards scattering is noticeably more prominent than with MARLEY.