Detection of the 4.4-MeV gamma rays from $^{16}$O($\nu, \nu^{\prime}$)$^{16}$O(12.97 ${\rm MeV}, 2^-)$ with a water-Cherenkov detector in the supernova neutrino bursts

TL;DR

This paper investigates a new neutrino detection channel involving 4.4-MeV gamma rays from oxygen in water Cherenkov detectors during supernova bursts, providing a more robust method for low-energy neutrino detection.

Contribution

It introduces and evaluates a new neutral-current reaction channel in $^{16}$O that produces detectable 4.4-MeV gamma rays, enhancing supernova neutrino detection capabilities.

Findings

The cross section for the new reaction is larger at low energies than previous channels.

The expected event rate in Super-Kamiokande is estimated for supernova neutrinos.

The isospin mixing of oxygen states is characterized using electron scattering data.

Abstract

We first discuss and determine the isospin mixing of the two $2^-$ states (12.53 MeV and 12.97 MeV) of $^{16}$O nucleus using the inelastic electron scattering data. We then evaluate the cross section of 4.4-MeV $\gamma$ rays produced in the neutrino neutral-current (NC) reaction $^{16}$O($\nu, \nu^{\prime}$)$^{16}$O$(12.97 {\rm MeV}, 2^-$) in a water Cherenkov detector at the low energy below 100 MeV. The detection of $\gamma$ rays for $E_{\gamma}>5$ MeV from the NC reaction $^{16}$O($\nu, \nu^{\prime}$)$^{16}$O$(E_x>16\ {\rm MeV}, T=1$) with a water Cherenkov detector in the supernova neutrino bursts has been proposed and discussed by several authors previously. In this article, we discuss a new NC reaction channel from $^{16}$O(12.97 ${\rm MeV}, 2^-$) producing a 4.4-MeV $\gamma$ ray, the cross section of which is more robust and even larger at the low energy ($E_{\nu}<25$ MeV) than the NC cross section from $^{16}$O$(E_x>16\ {\rm MeV}, T=1$). We also evaluate the number of such events induced by neutrinos from supernova explosion which can be observed by the Super-Kamiokande, a 32 kton water Cherenkov detector in the Earth.