Inner Structure and Outer Limits: Precision QCD and Electroweak Tests from Neutrino Experiments

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1420959· OSTI ID:1420959

Fleming, Bonnie Tamminga ^[1]

---

1. Columbia U.

Neutrinos are both excellent probes for discovering the secrets of QCD and elusive particles continually surprising us. This thesis reports first on a proton structure measurement, specifically the extraction of the proton structure function $$F_2$$ from CCFR neutrino-nucleon differential cross sections. The $$F_2$$ results are in good agreement with the $$F_2$$ measured in muon scattering above $Q^2$ = 1 $GeV^2$. Comparison of the two sets of data below $Q^2$ = 1 $GeV^2$, which provides information on the axial vector contribution, is discussed. The thesis also addresses the nature of neutrinos. Do neutrinos have mass? Do they have other Beyond-the-Standard-Model properties that can give us clues to their nature? Recent evidence from neutrino oscillation experiments from around the world indicate that neutrinos may oscillate between their different avors and therefore may have mass. The MiniBooNE experiment discussed here will be able to address this oscillation phenomenon as well as other possible beyond Standard Model neutrino properties.

• Research Organization: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP) (SC-25)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 1420959
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-THESIS-2001-02; UMI-30-37701; 589151
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS