Measurements of F_2 and xF_3(nu)-xF_3(nubar) from CCFR nu_mu-Fe and nubar_mu-Fe data in a physics model independent way

TL;DR

This paper presents a model-independent measurement of structure functions F_2 and Delta xF_3 from neutrino and antineutrino scattering data, providing new insights into charm production and resolving previous data-model discrepancies.

Contribution

First model-independent extraction of Delta xF_3 from neutrino scattering, testing heavy charm production models and resolving data discrepancies.

Findings

Delta xF_3 is higher than theoretical predictions.

F_2 ratios agree within 5% with NLO PDF predictions.

Resolved longstanding data-model discrepancy.

Abstract

We report on the extraction of the structure functions F_2 and Delta xF_3 = xF_3(nu)-xF_3(nubar) from CCFR nu_mu-Fe and nubar_mu-Fe differential cross sections. The extraction is performed in a physics model independent (PMI) way. This first measurement of Delta xF_3, which is useful in testingmodels of heavy charm production, is higher than current theoretical predictions. The ratio of the F_2(PMI) values measured in nu_mu and nubar_mu scattering is in agreement (within 5%) with the predictions of NLO PDFS using massive charm production schemes, thus resolvin long-standing discrepancy between the two sets of data.