Neutrino Cross Sections and Future Observations of Ultrahigh-Energy Cosmic Rays

Alexander Kusenko and Thomas J. Weiler
Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 161101 – Published 4 April 2002
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Abstract

We show that future detectors of ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray neutrinos will be able to measure neutrino-nucleon cross section, σνN, at energies as high as 1011GeV or higher. We find that the flux of upgoing charged leptons per unit surface area produced by neutrino interactions below the surface is inversely proportional to σνN. This contrasts with the rate of horizontal air showers (HAS) due to neutrino interactions in the atmosphere, which is proportional to σνN. Thus, by comparing the HAS and upgoing air shower rates, the neutrino-nucleon cross section can be inferred. Taken together, upgoing and horizontal rates ensure a healthy total event rate, regardless of the value of σνN.

  • Received 10 June 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.161101

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Alexander Kusenko1,2 and Thomas J. Weiler3

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1547
  • 2RIKEN BNL Research Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973
  • 3Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235

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Vol. 88, Iss. 16 — 22 April 2002

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