Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2023
DOI
10.1088/1361-6471/acef42
Publication Title
Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics
Volume
50
Issue
12
Pages
120501 (1-34)
Abstract
A thorough understanding of neutrino–nucleus scattering physics is crucial for the successful execution of the entire US neutrino physics program. Neutrino–nucleus interaction constitutes one of the biggest systematic uncertainties in neutrino experiments—both at intermediate energies affecting long-baseline deep underground neutrino experiment, as well as at low energies affecting coherent scattering neutrino program—and could well be the difference between achieving or missing discovery level precision. To this end, electron–nucleus scattering experiments provide vital information to test, assess and validate different nuclear models and event generators intended to test, assess and validate different nuclear models and event generators intended to be used in neutrino experiments. Similarly, for the low-energy neutrino program revolving around the coherent elastic neutrino–nucleus scattering (CEvNS) physics at stopped pion sources, such as at ORNL, the main source of uncertainty in the evaluation of the CEvNS cross section is driven by the underlying nuclear structure, embedded in the weak form factor, of the target nucleus. To this end, parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) experiments, utilizing polarized electron beams, provide vital model-independent information in determining weak form factors. This information is vital in achieving a percent level precision needed to disentangle new physics signals from the standard model expected CEvNS rate. In this white paper, we highlight connections between electron- and neutrino–nucleus scattering physics at energies ranging from 10 s of MeV to a few GeV, review the status of ongoing and planned electron scattering experiments, identify gaps, and lay out a path forward that benefits the neutrino community. We also highlight the systemic challenges with respect to the divide between the nuclear and high-energy physics communities and funding that presents additional hurdles in mobilizing these connections to the benefit of neutrino programs.
Rights
© 2023 The Authors.
Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
Data Availability
Article states: "All data that support the findings of this study are included within the article (and any supplementary files)."
Original Publication Citation
Ankowski, A. M., Ashkenazi, A., Bacca, S., Barrow, J. L., Betancourt, M., Bodek, A., Christy, M. E., Doria, L., Dytman, S., Friedland, A., Hen, O., Horowitz, C. J., Jachowicz, N., Ketchum, W., Lux, T., Mahn, K., Mariani, C., Newby, J., Pandey, . . . Yang, G. (2023). Electron scattering and neutrino physics. Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics, 50(12), 1-34, Article 120501. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6471/acef42
ORCID
0000-0001-5416-2900 (Weinstein)
Repository Citation
Ankowski, A. M.; Ashkenazi, A.; Bacca, S.; Barrow, J. L.; Betancourt, M.; Bodek, A.; Christy, M. E.; Doria, L.; Dytman, S.; Friedland, A.; Hen, O.; Horowitz, C. J.; Jachowicz, N.; Ketchum, W.; Lux, T.; Mahn, K.; Mariani, C.; Newby, J.; Pandey, V.; Papadopoulou, A.; Radicioni, E.; Sánchez, F.; Sfienti, C.; Udías, J. M.; Weinstein, L.; Alvarez-Ruso, L.; Amaro, J. E.; Argüelles, C. A.; Balantekin, A. B.; Bolognesi, S.; Brdar, V.; Butti, P.; Carey, S.; Djurcic, Z.; Dvornikov, O.; Edayath, S.; Gardiner, S.; Isaacson, J.; Jay, W.; McFarland, K. S.; Nikolakopoulos, A.; Norrick, A.; Pastore, S.; Paz, G.; Reno, M. H.; Simo, I. Ruiz; Sobczyk, J. E.; Sousa, A.; Toro, N.; Tsai, Y. D.; Wagman, M.; Walsh, J. G.; and Yang, G., "Electron Scattering and Neutrino Physics" (2023). Physics Faculty Publications. 823.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/physics_fac_pubs/823