Next generation neutrino oscillation experiments are poised to provide answers to key questions about the nature of the neutrino. The axial form factor is a vital ingredient in the nucleon amplitudes used to predict quasielastic scattering, a primary signal measurement process for flagship neutrino oscillation experiments, yet the uncertainty on this form factor is vastly underestimated by the typical dipole parameterization and a model independent determination is not well constrained by elementary target data. To fulfill this experimental need, Lattice QCD can be used to compute, from first principles, the interaction of a nucleon with a weak current in the absence of a nuclear medium. Results from LQCD calculations will significantly improve constraints on the uncertainty of nucleon amplitudes and allow for a theoretically robust, systematically improvable error budget. Recent calculations of the nucleon axial vector coupling have demonstrated that sub-percent precision is within reach of current generation calculations. These LQCD results will permit factorization of uncertainties originating from nucleon and nuclear sources in order to better isolate the source of discrepancies with experimental data. In this talk, I will summarize the current state of Lattice QCD calculations of the nucleon quasielastic axial form factor and the implications of those calculations for long baseline neutrino oscillation experiments. I will show some preliminary results for LQCD calculations of the axial form factor and outline the path toward achieving a result with a complete error budget.
This event will take place in the INT seminar room (C-421). All interested graduate students and faculty are invited to attend.
Participants are also welcome to join via Zoom. Zoom link will be available via announcement email, or by contacting: gsj6[at]uw.edu or prau[at]uw.edu