arXiv subjects

T. W. Donnelly

Publications and source records attributed to T. W. Donnelly.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Axial-vector Current and General Unpolarized Electroweak Single-nucleon Responses

The present study provides an extension to our recent work on the vector (V) electromagnetic single-nucleon current and associated response functions, both for unpolarized situations and in situations where the target nucleon is polarized. Here the axial-vector (A) single-nucleon current matrix element is developed in detail and the full set of vector and axial-vector currents used to obtain the electroweak VV, AA and VA response functions. Only the unpolarized case is studied in the present work. The general forms for all of these elements are developed together with various approximation schemes in which numerical studies are provided to indicate where these approximations may be expected to be valid. The results of this work provide the basis for a deeper understanding of the roles played by the various single-nucleon form factors in weak interaction reactions on free nucleons and when using the standard ``prescription for nuclear physics'' in reactions involving nucleons in nuclei.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2024

Electromagnetic Single-nucleon Response involving Polarized Targets

This work is an extension of our past study focused on a covariant representation of the electromagnetic (EM) current of spin-1/2 Dirac particles, specifically, nucleons. In the past study the EM responses that occur in unpolarized electron scattering from unpolarized nucleons were derived; however, scattering of polarized electrons from polarized nucleons was beyond the scope of that earlier work. Here such extensions are studied in detail. While in other work the EM response has already been developed for the double-polarization scattering problem, that effort was focused on high-energy collider physics. In the present study the formalism is recast into a set of EM response functions that have transparent dependencies on the relevant kinematic variables, especially on how these behave with respect to the momentum p of the (moving) struck, polarized nucleon. The motivation for such a reformulation of the problem is the desire to see a clear path to expansions in $p$ of the EM response for use in devising ``prescriptions for nuclear physics''. Results are provided where comparisons of the full (unexpanded) responses with various approximations that are frequently employed in studies of EM nuclear physics are made, demonstrating that under some circumstances such approximations are reasonable, whereas in other circumstances the expanded results are likely to be invalid. In addition, the EM current operators and approximations to them are discussed in detail.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2023

Measurement of the Charge-Averaged Elastic Lepton-Proton Scattering Cross Section by the OLYMPUS Experiment

We report the first measurement of the average of the electron-proton and positron-proton elastic scattering cross sections. This lepton charge-averaged cross section is insensitive to the leading effects of hard two-photon exchange, giving more robust access to the proton's electromagnetic form factors. The cross section was extracted from data taken by the OLYMPUS experiment at DESY, in which alternating stored electron and positron beams were scattered from a windowless gaseous hydrogen target. Elastic scattering events were identified from the coincident detection of the scattered lepton and recoil proton in a large-acceptance toroidal spectrometer. The luminosity was determined from the rates of Møller, Bhabha and elastic scattering in forward electromagnetic calorimeters. The data provide some selectivity between existing form factor global fits and will provide valuable constraints to future fits.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

General Tensor Structure for Inclusive and Semi-inclusive Electron Scattering from Polarized Spin 1/2 Targets

The general structure of semi-inclusive polarized electron scattering from polarized spin-1/2 targets is developed for use at all energy scales, from modest-energy nuclear physics applications to use in very high energy particle physics. The leptonic and hadronic tensors that enter in the formalism are constructed in a general covariant way in terms of kinematic factors that are frame dependent but model independent and invariant response functions which contain all of the model-dependent dynamics. In the process of developing the general problem the relationships to the conventional responses expressed in terms of the helicity components of the exchanged virtual photon are presented. For semi-inclusive electron scattering with polarized electrons and polarized spin-1/2 targets one finds that 18 invariant response functions are required, each depending on four Lorentz scalar invariants. Additionally it is shown how the semi-inclusive cross sections are related via integrations over the momentum of the selected coincidence particle and sums over open channels.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2021

Neutrino-Nucleus scattering in the SuSA model

The Super-Scaling Approach (SuSA) model, based on the analogies between electron and neutrino interactions with nuclei, is reviewed and its application to the description of neutrino-nucleus scattering is presented. The contribution of both one- and two-body relativistic currents is considered. A selection of results is presented where theoretical predictions are compared with cross section measurements from the main ongoing neutrino oscillation experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Neutrino energy reconstruction from semi-inclusive samples

We study neutrino-nucleus charged-current reactions on finite nuclei for the situation in which an outgoing muon and a proton are detected in coincidence, i.e., we focus on semi-inclusive cross sections. We limit our attention to one-body current interactions (quasielastic scattering) and assess the impact of different nuclear effects in the determination of the neutrino energy. We identify the regions in phase space where the neutrino energy can be reconstructed relatively well, and study whether the cross section in those regions is significant. Our results indicate that it is possible to filter more than 50% of all events according to the muon and proton kinematics, so that for the DUNE and T2K fluxes the neutrino energy can be determined with an uncertainty of less than 1% and 3%, respectively. Furthermore, we find that the reconstructed neutrino energy does not depend strongly on how one treats the final-state interactions and is not much affected by the description of the initial state. On the other hand, the estimations of the uncertainty on the neutrino energy show important sensitivity to the modeling of the initial state.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Neutral-Current Neutrino Scattering from the Deuteron

Neutral-current neutrino scattering from the deuteron leading to proton-neutron final states is considered using an approach that incorporates relativistic dynamics and consequently provides robust modeling at relatively high energies and momenta. In this work the focus is placed on the fully exclusive reaction where both the proton and neutron in the final state are assumed to be detected. Accordingly, the incident neutrino energy, the neutrino scattering angle and the scattered neutrino's energy can all be reconstructed. It is shown that for specific choices of kinematics the reaction proceeds mainly via scattering from the proton, while for other choices of kinematics it proceeds mainly from the neutron. Specific asymmetries are introduced to focus on these attributes. Measurements in both regions have the potential to yield valuable information on the nucleon's electroweak form factors at momentum transfers up to a (GeV/c)$^2$. In particular, the cross sections are shown to be very sensitive to the isoscalar axial-vector form factor, and sensitive but less so to the magnetic strangeness form factor. Comparisons with other reactions, specifically charge-changing neutrino reactions and both parity-conserving and -violating electron scattering, have the potential to provide new ways to test the Standard Model.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Constraints in modeling the quasielastic response in inclusive lepton-nucleus scattering

We show that the quasielastic (QE) response calculated with the SuSAv2 (superscaling approach) model, that relies on the scaling phenomenon observed in the analysis of (e,e') data and on the relativistic mean-field theory, is very similar to that from a relativistic distorted wave impulse approximation model when only the real part of the optical potentials is employed. The coincidence between the results from these two completely independent approaches, which satisfactorily agree with the inclusive data, reinforces the reliability of the quasielastic predictions stemming from both models and sets constraints for the QE response. We also study the low energy and momentum transfer region of the inclusive response by confronting the results of the relativistic mean-field model with those of the Hartree-Fock continuum random-phase approximation model, which accounts for nuclear long-range correlations. Finally, we present a comparison of our results with the recent JLab (e,e') data for argon, titanium and carbon, finding good agreement with the three data sets.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

A New Approach to Determine Radiative Capture Reaction Rates at Astrophysical Energies

Radiative capture reactions play a crucial role in stellar nucleosynthesis but have proved challenging to determine experimentally. In particular, the large uncertainty ($\sim$100%) in the measured rate of the $^{12}$C$(α,γ)^{16}$O reaction is the largest source of uncertainty in any stellar evolution model. With development of new high current energy-recovery linear accelerators (ERLs) and high density gas targets, measurement of the $^{16}$O$(e,e^\prime α)^{12}$C reaction close to threshold using detailed balance opens up a new approach to determine the $^{12}$C$(α,γ)^{16}$O reaction rate with significantly increased precision ($<$20%). We present the formalism to relate photo- and electro-disintegration reactions and consider the design of an optimal experiment to deliver increased precision. Once the new ERLs come online, an experiment to validate the new approach we propose should be carried out. This new approach has broad applicability to radiative capture reactions in astrophysics.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Nuclear Theory and Event Generators for Charge-Changing Neutrino Reactions

Semi-inclusive $CCν$ cross sections based on factorized cross sections are studied for a selection of spectral function models with the objective of facilitating the choice of models for use as input into event generators. The basic formalism for such cross sections is presented along with an introduction to constructing spectral functions for simple models based on the independent particle shell model (IPSM), the relativistic Fermi gas model (RFG) and a local density approximation (LDA) based on the RFG. Spectral functions for these models are shown for $^{16}$O along with a more sophisticated model which includes nucleon-nucleon interactions \cite{ALVAREZRUSO20181}. Inclusive and semi-inclusive cross sections are calculated for these models. Although the inclusive cross sections are all of similar size and shape, the semi-inclusive cross sections are subtantially different depending upon whether the spectral functions contain some features associated with the nuclear shell model or are based on the RFG and LDA models. Calculations of average values and standard deviations of the initial neutrino energy using the semi-inclusive cross section for the various models are presented and indicate that there may be simple kinematical descriptions of the average neutrino energy which is common to all of these models.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

Mean field and two-body nuclear effects in inclusive electron scattering on argon, carbon and titanium: the superscaling approach

We compare the predictions of the SuSAv2 model including two-particle two-hole meson-exchange currents with the recent JLab data for inclusive electron scattering on three different targets (C, Ar and Ti). The agreement is very good over the full energy spectrum, with some discrepancy seen only in the deep inelastic region. The 2p2h response, peaked in the dip region between the quasielastic and $Δ$-resonance peak, is essential to reproduce the data. We also analyze the $k_F$ (Fermi momentum) dependence of the data in terms of scaling of second kind, showing that the 2p2h response scales very differently from the quasielastic one, in full accord with what is predicted by the model. The results represent a valuable test of the applicability of the model to neutrino scattering processes on different nuclei.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

Neutrino-Oxygen CC0$π$ scattering in the SuSAv2-MEC model

We present the predictions of the SuSAv2-MEC model for the double differential charged-current muonic neutrino (antineutrino) cross section on water for the T2K neutrino (antineutrino) beam. We validate our model by comparing with the available inclusive electron scattering data on oxygen and compare our predictions with the recent T2K $ν_μ$-$^{16}$O data, finding good agreement at all kinematics. We show that the results are very similar to those obtained for $ν_μ-^{12}$C scattering, except at low energies, and we comment on the origin of this difference. A factorized spectral function model of $^{16}$O is also included for purposes of comparison.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

A realistic spectral function model for charged-current quasielastic-like neutrino and antineutrino cross sections on $^{12}$C

A detailed study of charged current quasielastic neutrino and antineutrino scattering cross sections on a $^{12}$C target with no pions in the final state is presented. The initial nucleus is described by means of a realistic spectral function $S(p,{\cal E})$ in which nucleon-nucleon correlations are implemented by using natural orbitals through the Jastrow method. The roles played by these correlations and by final-state interactions are analyzed and discussed. The model also includes the contribution of weak two-body currents in the two-particle two-hole sector, evaluated within a fully relativistic Fermi gas. The theoretical predictions are compared with a large set of experimental data for double-differential, single-differential and total integrated cross sections measured by the MiniBooNE, MINER$ν$A and T2K experiments. Good agreement with experimental data is found over the whole range of neutrino energies. The results are also in global good agreement with the predictions of the superscaling approach, which is based on the analysis of electron-nucleus scattering data, with only a few differences seen at specific kinematics.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

Are the Muonic Hydrogen and Electron Scattering Experiments Measuring the Same Observable?

Elastic scattering of relativistic electrons from the nucleon yields Lorentz invariant form factors that describe the fundamental distribution of charge and magnetism. The spatial dependence of the nucleon's charge and magnetism is typically interpreted in the Breit reference frame which is related by a Lorentz boost from the laboratory frame, where the nucleon is at rest. We construct a model to estimate how the Sachs electric and magnetic form factors can be corrected for the effects of relativistic recoil. When the corrections are applied, the ratio of the proton's Sachs form factors is approximately flat with $Q^2$, i.e. the spatial distributions of the proton's intrinsic charge and magnetization are similar. Further, we estimate the correction due to recoil that must be applied to the determination of the proton charge radius from elastic electron scattering before it can be compared to the value determined using the Lamb shift in hydrogen. Application of the correction brings the two values of the proton charge radius into significantly closer agreement. Predicted corrections based on the model are provided for the rms charge radii of the deuteron, the triton, and the helium isotopes.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Asymmetric Relativistic Fermi Gas model for quasielastic lepton-nucleus scattering

We develop an asymmetric relativistic Fermi gas model for the study of the electroweak nuclear response in the quasielastic region. The model takes into account the differences between neutron and proton densities in asymmetric (N > Z) nuclei, as well as differences in the neutron and proton separation energies. We present numerical results for both neutral and charged current processes, focusing on nuclei of interest for ongoing and future neutrino oscillation experiments. We point out some important differences with respect to the commonly employed symmetric Fermi gas model.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

Meson-exchange currents and quasielastic predictions for neutrino-nucleus scattering

We review some recent progress in the study of electroweak interactions in nuclei within the SuSAv2-MEC model. The model has the capability to predict (anti)neutrino scattering observables on different nuclei. The theoretical predictions are compared with the recent T2K $ν_μ-^{16}$O data and good agreement is found at all kinematics. The results are very similar to those obtained for $ν_μ-^{12}$C scattering, except at low energies, where some differences emerge. The role of meson-exchange currents in the two-particle two-hole channel is analyzed in some detail. In particular it is shown that the density dependence of these contributions is different from what is found for the quasielastic response.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Coincidence charged-current neutrino-induced deuteron disintegration for $^2\mathrm{H}_2{^{16}}\mathrm{O}$

Semi-inclusive charge-changing neutrino reactions on targets of heavy water are investigated with the goal of determining the relative contributions to the total cross section of deuterium and oxygen in kinematics chosen to emphasize the former. The study is undertaken for conditions where the typical neutrino beam energies are in the few GeV region, and hence relativistic modeling is essential. For this, the previous relativistic approach for the deuteron is employed, together with a spectral function approach for the case of oxygen. Upon optimizing the kinematics of the final-state particles assumed to be detected (typically a muon and a proton) it is shown that the oxygen contribution to the total cross section is suppressed by roughly an order of magnitude compared with the deuterium cross section, thereby confirming that CC$ν$ studies of heavy water can effectively yield the cross sections for deuterium, with acceptable backgrounds from oxygen. This opens the possibility of using deuterium to determine the incident neutrino flux distribution, to have it serve as a target for which the nuclear structure issues are minimal, and possibly to use deuterium to provide improved knowledge of specific aspects of hadronic structure, such as to explore the momentum transfer dependence of the isovector axial-vector form factor of the nucleon.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Nuclear dependence of the 2p2h electroweak response in the Relativistic Fermi Gas model

We present the results of a recent study of meson-exchange two-body currents in lepton-nucleus inclusive scattering at various kinematics and for different nuclei within the Relativistic Fermi Gas model. We show that the associated nuclear response functions at their peaks scale as $A k_F^2$, for Fermi momentum $k_F$ going from 200 to 300 MeV/c and momentum transfer $q$ from $2k_F$ to 2 GeV/c. This behavior is different from what is found for the quasielastic response, which scales as $A/k_F$. This result can be valuable in the analyses of long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments, which need to implement these nuclear effects in Monte Carlo simulations for different kinematics and nuclear targets.

nucl-th↗