Sensitivity toZ-prime and nonstandard neutrino interactions from ultralow threshold neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering

Abstract

We discuss prospects for probing Z-prime and non-standard neutrino interactions using neutrinonucleus coherent scattering with ultra-low energy (∼ 10 eV) threshold Si and Ge detectors. The analysis is performed in the context of a specific and contemporary reactor-based experimental proposal, developed in cooperation with the Nuclear Science Center at Texas A&M University, and referencing available technology based upon economical and scalable detector arrays. For expected exposures, we show that sensitivity to the Z-prime mass is on the order of several TeV, and is complementary to the LHC search with low mass detectors in the near term. This technology is also shown to provide sensitivity to the neutrino magnetic moment, at a level that surpasses terrestrial limits, and is competitive with more stringent astrophysical bounds. We demonstrate the benefits of combining silicon and germanium detectors for distinguishing between classes of models of new physics, and for suppressing correlated systematic uncertainties.

Sensitivity to oscillation with a sterile fourth generation neutrino from ultralow threshold neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering

“…Additional background on the TAMU research nuclear reactor facility (including isotopic fuel ratios and the computation of the expected anti-neutrino flux), the fabrication and performance of ultra-low threshold Ge and Si nuclear recoil detectors, and the physics applications of neutrino-atom scattering are provided in Refs. [23,27], as well as the references therein. Note, in particular, that most research reactors are not continuously operated, although there is no technical reason which prevents this, resources permitting; when referencing time, we refer to reactor live-time.…”

Neutrino floor at ultralow threshold

“…We assume pure Standard Model (SM) contributions to the CNS cross section (see Refs. [22,23] for discussions of beyond the SM contributions to the cross section). We further assume the standard three neutrino flavors, which implies that we do not need to account for flavor mixing.…”

Probing light mediators at ultralow threshold energies with coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering

“…Low temperature solid state germanium and silicon detectors, using technology similar to that currently developed for direct dark matter searches like SuperCDMS, will be installed at very near proximity (∼ 1 − 3m) to the reactor core. More specifics on the reactor, its properties, and the MINER program may be found in recent works which have highlighted its physics potential for TeV scale mass Z models, sensitivity for neutrino magnetic moment searches, and sterile neutrino searches [10,11].…”

“…Because the CEνNS process is well predicted in the SM [2], a measured deviation from it can provide a test of Beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics. These models include non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI) with new weakly coupled particles, electromagnetic properties of neutrinos, and oscillations into sterile neutrinos [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. CEνNS can also shed light onto astrophysical processes occurring in neutron stars and core-collapse supernovae [13][14][15][16][17].…”

“…These experiments will be sensitive to BSM physics such as NSI and the neutrino magnetic moment [22]. More recently, the MINER experiment at Texas A&M University has been developed to measure to measure CEνNS using a MW reactor neutrino source, with sensitivity to sterile neutrinos, NSI, and the neutrino magnetic moment [10,11].…”