Speaker
Description
Low-energy neutrino scattering with nuclei is a fundamental tool for studying weak interactions and nuclear structure. Although the dominant mechanism at these energies is Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CE$\nu$NS), inelastic processes via charged or neutral currents can also occur, leading to the excitation of low-energy nuclear states. The investigation of these interactions is becoming increasingly relevant as neutrino and dark matter experiments move towards larger target masses. The higher sensitivity achieved using solar and decay-at-rest neutrino sources means that sub-dominant inelastic processes are no longer negligible, as they represent a significant background while at the same time offering a new window into neutrino physics.
These processes are challenging to describe from a theoretical perspective, as they require a detailed understanding of the underlying nuclear structure. Therefore, in this talk, I will revisit the calculation of inelastic cross sections for both neutral and charged current interactions, focusing primarily on $ ^{40}$Ar. In particular, I will discuss the estimation of the nuclear matrix elements necessary to describe the transitions that occur within the nucleus following a neutrino interaction. The refinement of these cross sections is a necessary step towards reducing theoretical uncertainties and obtaining accurate estimates of the observable signals in the low-energy regime.