Model Independent Approach of the JUNO $^8$B Solar Neutrino Program

TL;DR

This paper proposes a model-independent method for detecting $^8$B solar neutrinos at JUNO using multiple interaction channels, achieving high precision in flux and oscillation parameters with potential to advance solar and neutrino physics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, model-independent approach utilizing CC, NC, and ES channels at JUNO, leveraging large $^{13}$C mass and low background for improved neutrino detection.

Findings

Achieves 5% precision in $^8$B neutrino flux measurement with 10 years of data.

Demonstrates potential for 8% and 20% precision in $ heta_{12}$ and $ riangle m^2_{21}$.

When combined with SNO, can reach 3% precision in $^8$B flux measurement.

Abstract

The physics potential of detecting $^8$B solar neutrinos will be exploited at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), in a model independent manner by using three distinct channels of the charged-current (CC), neutral-current (NC) and elastic scattering (ES) interactions. Due to the largest-ever mass of $^{13}$C nuclei in the liquid-scintillator detectors and the {expected} low background level, $^8$B solar neutrinos would be observable in the CC and NC interactions on $^{13}$C for the first time. By virtue of optimized event selections and muon veto strategies, backgrounds from the accidental coincidence, muon-induced isotopes, and external backgrounds can be greatly suppressed. Excellent signal-to-background ratios can be achieved in the CC, NC and ES channels to guarantee the $^8$B solar neutrino observation. From the sensitivity studies performed in this work, we show that JUNO, with ten years of data, can reach the {1$\sigma$} precision levels of 5%, 8% and 20% for the $^8$B neutrino flux, $\sin^2\theta_{12}$, and $\Delta m^2_{21}$, respectively. It would be unique and helpful to probe the details of both solar physics and neutrino physics. In addition, when combined with SNO, the world-best precision of 3% is expected for the $^8$B neutrino flux measurement.