Running axial mass of the nucleon as a phenomenological tool for calculating QE neutrino-nucleus cross sections

TL;DR

This paper introduces an empirical method using an energy-dependent axial mass to accurately estimate neutrino-nucleus quasielastic cross sections, aligning well with experimental data across various targets.

Contribution

It proposes a novel phenomenological approach incorporating an energy-dependent axial mass within the relativistic Fermi-gas model for neutrino interactions.

Findings

Good agreement with experimental CCQE data across energy ranges

Effective simulation of background and final-state interactions

Addresses issues in current neutrino interaction models

Abstract

We suggest an empirical rule-of-thumb for calculating the cross sections of charged-current quasielastic (CCQE) and CCQE-like interactions of neutrinos and antineutrinos with nuclei. The approach is based on the standard relativistic Fermi-gas model and on the notion of neutrino energy dependent axial-vector mass of the nucleon, governed by a couple of adjustable parameters, one of which is the conventional charged-current axial-vector mass. The inelastic background contributions and final-state interactions are therewith simulated using GENIE 3 neutrino event generator. An extensive comparison of our calculations with earlier and current accelerator CCQE and CCQE-like data for different nuclear targets shows good or at least qualitative overall agreement over a wide energy range. We also discuss some problematical issues common to several competing contemporary models of the CCQE (anti)neutrino-nucleus scattering and to the current neutrino interaction generators.