In the realm of energy and particle physics, understanding the interactions between neutrinos and nucleons is crucial for various applications, including nuclear energy and experimental physics. Aaron S. Meyer, a researcher affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley, has been delving into this complex area through a study published in the journal Physical Review D.
Meyer’s research focuses on the nucleon axial form factor, a key component in calculating neutrino-nucleon cross sections. These cross sections are vital for flagship neutrino oscillation experiments and have practical implications for nuclear energy research. The axial form factor is particularly important in quasielastic scattering, a primary interaction mechanism between neutrinos and nucleons. However, the precision of this form factor has been limited by the availability of experimental data, especially for neutrino scattering with nucleons or small nuclear targets.
To address this limitation, Meyer explores the use of Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (LQCD), a theoretical approach that provides mathematically rigorous constraints on the axial form factor. LQCD allows for the calculation of form factor values across different momentum transfers, offering a comprehensive error budget. The study investigates two strategies for averaging LQCD results: a random sampling of form factor values and an averaging strategy based on analytic calculations of form factor derivatives.
The research reports fits to z expansion parameterizations, which are used to describe the momentum dependence of the form factor. These fits are compared against experimental data from neutrino-hydrogen and neutrino-deuterium scattering, providing a benchmark for the theoretical calculations. By leveraging LQCD, Meyer’s work aims to improve the precision of the axial form factor, which in turn enhances the accuracy of neutrino-nucleon cross sections.
For the energy sector, particularly nuclear energy research, this work is significant. Accurate neutrino-nucleon cross sections are essential for understanding neutrino interactions in nuclear reactors and for developing advanced reactor designs. Moreover, this research contributes to the broader field of particle physics, supporting experiments that probe the fundamental properties of neutrinos and their role in the universe.
The study by Aaron S. Meyer, titled “The Nucleon Axial Form Factor from Averaging Lattice QCD Results,” was published in Physical Review D, a peer-reviewed journal that covers topics in particle physics, field theory, gravitation, and cosmology.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.