Implications of PREX--2 data on the electron--neutrino opacity in dense matter

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the PREX--2 data influences electron--neutrino interactions in dense matter, using an extended relativistic mean field model with a new parameter set, revealing increased cross sections and decreased mean free paths.

Contribution

It introduces the G3(M) parameter set constrained by PREX--2 data into the E--RMF model to study neutrino interactions in dense matter, showing improved agreement with experimental and theoretical data.

Findings

Higher electron--neutrino differential cross sections compared to other models.

Reduced electron--neutrino mean free path due to increased cross sections.

Good agreement of the G3(M) EOS with experimental and chiral EFT data.

Abstract

Motivated by the recent measurement of the neutron distribution radius of ${}^{208}$Pb from the PREX--2 data, I study the effects of the new G3(M) parameter set constrained by PREX--2 data on the electron--neutrino scattering in dense matter using the extended relativistic mean field (E--RMF) model. I employ the G3(M) parameter set to describe the nuclear matter. The obtained equation of state for the G3(M) parameter set has an excellent agreement with experimental data and the chiral effective field theory calculation with N$^3$LO 3N forces. I analyze both differential cross section of electron--neutrino and electron--neutrino mean free path to observe their sensitivity to the G3(M) parameter set. One finds that the differential cross sections of electron--neutrino for different baryon densities have higher values compared with that obtained for the TM1e and FSU Garnet parameter sets. The higher cross section decreases the electron--neutrino mean free path.