Proposal to Perform a High-Statistics Neutrino Scattering Experiment Using a Fine-grained Detector

TL;DR

MINERνA proposes a high-statistics neutrino-nucleus scattering program using a fine-grained detector in the NuMI beam to deliver precise measurements of QE, resonance, and DIS processes across multiple nuclear targets. By leveraging controlled beam systematics and a versatile detector, the experiment aims to map form factors (vector and axial), test quark-hadron duality, and quantify nuclear effects, directly informing current and next-generation oscillation experiments. The project seeks to fill longstanding gaps in low-energy neutrino data, constrain structure functions for ν and ν̄, and enable high-precision inputs for modeling and background subtraction, with broad implications for particle and nuclear physics. Overall, MINERνA is positioned to deliver an unprecedented, multi-target, high-statistics neutrino-scattering dataset that will substantially reduce systematic uncertainties in oscillation analyses and advance understanding of nucleon structure and nuclear medium effects.

Abstract

The NuMI facility at Fermilab will provide an extremely intense beam of neutrinos for the MINOS neutrino-oscillation experiment. The spacious and fully-outfitted MINOS near detector hall will be the ideal venue for a high-statistics, high-resolution $ν$ and $\nubar$--nucleon/nucleus scattering experiment. The experiment described here will measure neutrino cross-sections and probe nuclear effects essential to present and future neutrino-oscillation experiments. Moreover, with the high NuMI beam intensity, the experiment will either initially address or significantly improve our knowledge of a wide variety of neutrino physics topics of interest and importance to the elementary-particle and nuclear-physics communities.

Figures (20)

• Figure 1: A schematic side view of the MINER$\nu$A detector with sub-detectors labeled. The neutrino beam enters from the right.
• Figure 2: Total neutrino (top) and anti-neutrino (bottom) cross-sections divided by energy versus energy compared to the sum of quasi-elastic, resonant, and inelastic contributions from the NUANCE model. The sum is constructed to be continuous in $W$ ($\equiv$ mass of the hadronic system) as follows. For $W>2~\hbox{GeV}$ the Bodek-Yang model is used. The Rein-Sehgal model is used for $W<2~\hbox{GeV}$. In addition, a fraction of the Bodek-Yang cross-section is added to the Rein-Sehgal cross-section between $W=1.7~\hbox{GeV}$ and $W=2~\hbox{GeV}$. The fraction increases linearly with $W$ from 0 to 0.38 between $W=1.7$ and $W =2~\hbox{GeV}$.
• Figure 3: The NEUGEN prediction for the $\nu_\mu$ charged-current cross-section ($\sigma/E_\nu$) from an isoscalar target compared with data from a number of experiments. Quasi-elastic and resonance contributions are also shown. Data are from: CCFRR MacFarlane:1984ax, CDHSW Berge:1987zw, GGM-SPS Morfin:1981kg, BEBC Colley:1979rt, ITEP Mukhin:1979bd, SKAT Baranov:1979sx, CRS Baltay:1980pr, ANL Barish:1979pj, BNL Baker:1982ty, GGM-PS Ciampolillo:1979wp, ANL-QEL Barish:1977qk, BNL-QEL Baker:1981su.
• Figure 4: Cross-sections for charged-current single-pion production. Plot A: $\nu_\mu + p \rightarrow \mu^- + p + \pi^+$, Plot B: $\nu_\mu + n \rightarrow \mu^- + n + \pi^+$, Plot C: $\nu_\mu + n \rightarrow \mu^- + p + \pi^0$. Solid lines are the NEUGEN predictions for W$<$1.4 GeV (plot A) and W$<$2.0 GeV (plots B and C). The dashed curve is the NEUGEN prediction with no invariant mass cut, for comparison with the BNL data. Data are from: ANL ANLpi1Barish:1979pj, BNL BNL1pi, FNAL FNALpi, BEBC BEBC1pi
• Figure 5: Layout of NuMI beamline components and near detector hall.