Revisiting Neutrino Oscillation Models: Comprehensive Tests of Cross-Section Systematics and Nuclear Effects

Coyle, Li & Machado (2025) emphasize that future oscillation experiments (e.g., DUNE) will be dominated by systematic, not statistical, errors—especially from poorly understood neutrino-nucleus interactions. This project would build a suite of detailed, open-source simulations incorporating the latest theoretical and experimental nuclear physics (including different event generators and nuclear models), and propagate these uncertainties through to oscillation parameter fits. A key novelty is to employ advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to disentangle correlated systematic effects, and to test new experimental concepts like the “PRISM” approach (varying off-axis angles) for improved control of systematics. By quantifying how cross-section modeling choices impact mass ordering, CP violation, and absolute mass scale extraction, this work will directly inform both experiment design and theoretical priorities. This goes beyond existing studies by focusing on quantitative, end-to-end bias estimation and practical mitigation strategies, potentially enabling the next leap in oscillation precision.

References:

1. Experimental Considerations in Long-Baseline Neutrino Oscillation Measurements. F. Lodovico, R. Patterson, M. Shiozawa, E. Worcester (2023). Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science.
2. Neutrino-nucleus cross section impacts on neutrino oscillation measurements. Nina M. Coyle, Shirley Weishi Li, P. Machado (2025). Physical Review D.