Electron Scattering on Nuclei for Neutrino Physics

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Luca Doria
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 521414474

The groundbreaking discovery of neutrino oscillations represents a concrete indication of new physics and the measurement of the oscillation parameters has the potential to unlock new knowledge on the fundamental building blocks of matter. For measuring the neutrino properties to percent-level precision, an ambitious accelerator-based experimental program was started, spearheaded by two large international collaborations: HyperK and DUNE. However, these experiments will only be able to achieve their unprecedented precision goal if our current knowledge of neutrino-nucleus interactions in the detectors is dramatically improved. This is a key prerequisite for reconstructing the initial neutrino energy needed for extracting the oscillation parameters. This proposal describes relevant contributions for gaining new insights into nuclear interactions by employing electrons, which share many properties with neutrinos but can be produced with high intensities and with a precisely known initial energy. We propose to collect new electron scattering data with the unique MAMI accelerator facility coupled with the A1 Collaboration high-resolution three-spectrometer setup. The new data collected during the proposed project will play a vital role in benchmarking theoretical models, improving simulations needed for a reliable extraction of the neutrino oscillation parameters, and will decisively contribute to the success of next-generation neutrino experiments. The goals of the present proposal are: • Perform electron scattering measurements on the 40Ca nucleus. Calcium has the same mass number as argon but its solid state at room temperature makes it a dense and easy-to-prepare target. • Data analysis and extraction of the inclusive 40Ca(e,e’) and exclusive 40Ca(e,e’p) cross sections: this constitutes an important test for theoretical calculations, neutrino generators, and for designing a data taking campaign with an argon target in the near future. • Refurbish an existing waterfall target in preparation for future electron scattering experiments on 16O.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants