Enhancing DUNE's solar neutrino capabilities with neutral-current detection

TL;DR

This paper discusses how DUNE can improve solar neutrino measurements, especially for active neutrino fluxes, by utilizing neutral-current interactions, which could lead to more precise determination of neutrino oscillation parameters.

Contribution

It proposes a method for DUNE to measure total active solar neutrino fluxes via neutral-current interactions, enhancing its scientific capabilities beyond current proposals.

Findings

DUNE can potentially measure 8B solar neutrino fluxes with high precision.

Combining NC and CC measurements enables detailed neutrino oscillation studies.

Comparison with JUNO can test new physics beyond the Standard Model.

Abstract

We show that the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) has the potential to make a precise measurement of the total active flux of 8B solar neutrinos via neutral-current (NC) interactions with argon. This would complement proposed precise measurements of solar-neutrino fluxes in DUNE via charged-current (CC) interactions with argon and mixed CC/NC interactions with electrons. Together, these would enable DUNE to make a SNO-like comparison of rates and thus to make the most precise measurements of $\sin^2\theta_{12}$ and $\Delta m^2_{21}$ using solar neutrinos. Realizing this potential requires dedicated but realistic efforts to improve DUNE's low-energy capabilities and separately to reduce neutrino-argon cross section uncertainties. Comparison of mixing-parameter results obtained using solar neutrinos in DUNE and reactor antineutrinos in JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory) would allow unprecedented tests of new physics.