DarkNews: a Python-based event generator for heavy neutral lepton production in neutrino-nucleus scattering

TL;DR

DarkNews is a Python-based Monte Carlo generator designed to simulate heavy neutral lepton production and decay in neutrino-nucleus scattering, aiding searches for new physics in neutrino experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a lightweight, flexible tool for simulating beyond-the-Standard-Model neutrino interactions, including heavy neutral leptons via various mediators.

Findings

Demonstrated differential distributions for models explaining MiniBooNE excess.

Provides a practical tool for neutrino search sensitivity studies.

Samples pre-computed cross sections and decay rates for heavy neutrinos.

Abstract

We introduce DarkNews, a lightweight Python-based Monte-Carlo generator for beyond-the-Standard-Model neutrino-nucleus scattering. The generator handles the production and decay of heavy neutral leptons via additional vector or scalar mediators, as well as through transition magnetic moments. DarkNews samples pre-computed neutrino-nucleus upscattering cross sections and heavy neutrino decay rates to produce dilepton and single-photon events in accelerator neutrino experiments. We present two case studies with differential distributions for models that can explain the MiniBooNE excess. The aim of this code is to aid the neutrino theory and experimental communities in performing searches and sensitivity studies for new particles produced in neutrino upscattering.