Deuterium target data for precision neutrino-nucleus cross sections

Understand

Amplitudes derived from scattering data on elementary targets are basic inputs to neutrino-nucleus cross section predictions.

• A prominent example is the isovector axial nucleon form factor, $F_A(q^2)$, which controls charged current signal processes at accelerator-based neutrino oscillation experiments.
• Previous extractions of $F_A$ from neutrino-deuteron scattering data rely on a dipole shape assumption that introduces an unquantified error.
• A new analysis of world data for neutrino-deuteron scattering is performed using a model-independent, and systematically improvable, representation of $F_A$.