Impact of form factor uncertainties on interpretations of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering data

Understand

The standard model coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$\nu$NS) cross section is subject to nuclear form factor uncertainties, mainly driven by the root-mean-square radius of the neutron density distribution.

• Motivated by COHERENT phases I-III and future multi-ton direct detection dark matter searches, we evaluate these uncertainties in cesium iodide, germanium, xenon and argon detectors.
• We find that the uncertainties become relevant for momentum transfers $q\gtrsim 20$ MeV and are essentially independent of the form factor parameterization.
• Consequently, form factor uncertainties are not important for CE$\nu$NS induced by reactor or solar neutrinos.