Neutrino Energy Estimation in Neutral Current Interactions and Prospects for Sterile Neutrino Searches

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new neutrino energy estimation method in neutral current interactions using LAr TPCs, which could enhance sterile neutrino searches by detecting spectral distortions in the energy spectrum.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel energy estimation technique leveraging LAr TPCs' capabilities, improving sterile neutrino search sensitivity through spectral analysis.

Findings

Demonstrates potential to observe sterile neutrino-induced spectral distortions

Provides a sensitivity analysis for sterile neutrino detection at SBN

Highlights advantages of LAr TPCs in neutrino energy reconstruction

Abstract

Modern neutrino detectors, particularly the large liquid argon time projection chambers (LAr TPCs) at SBN and DUNE, provide an unprecedented amount of information about GeV-scale interactions. By taking advantage of the excellent spatial and calorimetric resolution as well as the low tracking thresholds provided by LAr TPCs, we present a novel method of estimating the neutrino energy in neutral current interactions. This method has potential implications for the search for a sterile neutrino; it allows for the potential observation of spectral distortions due to sterile neutrino-induced oscillations in the neutral current neutrino energy spectrum. As an example, we use this method to perform an analysis of the statistics-only sensitivity to sterile neutrinos in the neutral current channel at SBN under a 3+1 model.