DPF - PHENO 2024

Ultimate constraints for forward neutrino scattering processes at the LHC

16 May 2024, 14:45

15m

David Lawrence Hall 107 (University of Pittsburgh)

Neutrino Physics Neutrino Physics

Speaker

Dr Toni Makela (NCBJ)

Description

The initiation of a novel neutrino physics program at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) motivates studying the discovery potential of existing and proposed forward neutrino experiments. This requires resolving degeneracies between new predictions and uncertainties in modeling neutrino production in the forward kinematic region. Based on a broad selection of predictions for the parent hadron spectra, we parametrize the expected correlations in the spectra of neutrinos produced in their decays, and determine the highest achievable precision for their observation. This allows constraining various processes both within and beyond the Standard Model. In particular, we illustrate how combining multiple neutrino observables could lead to an experimental confirmation of the enhanced-strangeness scenario proposed to resolve the cosmic-ray muon puzzle during LHC Run 3, as well as constrain neutrino non-standard interactions. Moreover, we assess the possibility for observing neutrino trident scattering off a nucleus $N$, $\nu N\to {\nu }^{(\prime )}{\ell }^{-}{\ell }^{(\prime )+}N$, which has previously proven to be a notoriously difficult task with few reported experimental investigations and little conclusive results. We show that even a $\mathcal{O}(10\text{ton})$ forward detector yields tens of di-muon trident events, while the relevant backgrounds can be reduced to negligible levels without affecting the signal.

Presentation materials

Makela_Ultimate_constraints_for_forward_nu_scattering_at_LHC.pdf