Standard neutrino spectrum from B8 decay

John N. Bahcall, E. Lisi, D. E. Alburger, L. De Braeckeleer, S. J. Freedman, and J. Napolitano
Phys. Rev. C 54, 411 – Published 1 July 1996
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Abstract

We present a systematic evaluation of the shape of the neutrino energy spectrum produced by beta decay of B8. We place special emphasis on determining the range of uncertainties permitted by existing laboratory data and theoretical ingredients (such as forbidden and radiative corrections). We review and compare the available experimental data on the B8(β+)8Be(2α) decay chain. We analyze the theoretical and experimental uncertainties quantitatively. We give a numerical representation of the best-fit (standard-model) neutrino spectrum, as well as two extreme deviations from the standard spectrum that represent the total (experimental and theoretical) effective ±3σ deviations. Solar neutrino experiments that are currently being developed will be able to measure the shape of the B8 neutrino spectrum above about 5 MeV. An observed distortion of the B8 solar neutrino spectrum outside the range given in the present work could be considered as evidence, at an effective significance level greater than three standard deviations, for physics beyond the standard electroweak model. We use the most recent available experimental data on the Gamow-Teller strengths in the A=37 system to calculate the B8 neutrino absorption cross section on chlorine: σCl=(1.14±0.11)×1042 cm2 (±3σ errors). The chlorine cross section is also given as a function of the neutrino energy. The B8 neutrino absorption cross section in gallium is σGa=(2.461.1+2.11042 cm2 (±3σ errors). © 1996 The American Physical Society.

  • Received 18 March 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.54.411

©1996 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

John N. Bahcall and E. Lisi

  • Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

D. E. Alburger

  • Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973

L. De Braeckeleer

  • Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195

S. J. Freedman

  • Department of Physics and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720

J. Napolitano

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180

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Vol. 54, Iss. 1 — July 1996

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