Quasi-elastic neutrino reactions on carbon and lead nuclei

Abstract

We examine neutral-current quasi-elastic neutrino-nucleus reactions on 12 C and 208 Pb targets. We use the relativistic mean field theory approach to describe the nuclear dynamics. We compute the cross sections for the scattering of 150-MeV, 500-MeV and 1000-MeV neutrinos on a 12 C target and study the effect of the strange-quark content of the nucleon which appears in these reactions via the isoscalar weak current. We compare our results with the data of the MiniBooNE experiment for mineral oil (CH 2 ). We also calculate the cross section for the quasi-elastic neutron knockout reaction of 20 to 60-MeV neutrinos on a 208 Pb target which is relevant to plans to use lead as a target material in future supernova neutrino detectors.

Neutral current neutrino-nucleus scattering: theory

“…The comparison of Figure 31. Neutral-current quasi-elastic flux-averaged differential cross section for neutrino scattering on CH 2 calculated in the RPWIA and RDWIA of [233] and compared with the MiniBooNE data [215]. Taken from [233].…”

“…For completeness, recent RPWIA and RDWIA results [226] for NCE neutrino scattering on carbon in comparison with the MiniBooNE data are presented in figure 31. The standard value of the axial mass has been used in the calculations.…”