Neutral-current neutrino-nucleus reactions and their impact to supernova physics

Abstract

Abstract. We study neutral-current neutrino-nucleus reactions in nuclei that are relevant for supernova (SN) simulations and for terrestrial experiments aiming at neutrino astrophysics as well as ν-nucleus scattering cross sections measurements. Such studies allow us to improve estimates of nuclear responses to low energy neutrinos in light of the operation of nuclear ν-detectors with very-low threshold and very high sensitivity. The adopted ν-energy range is extended to rather high energies (up to 100 MeV) so as to consider allowed and forbidden multipole contributions to cross sections. Both contributions are calculated within the quasiparticle random phase approximation by using realistic two-body forces (Bonn CD potential) for the residual interaction of the nuclear Hamiltonian. As a special application the 56 Fe isotope is chosen due to its significant role in SN physics and ν-detection.