Neutrino/antineutrino-$^{12}$C charged cross sections in the projected QRPA formalism

Abstract

The $\nu/\bar{\nu}-^{12}$C cross sections are evaluated in the projected quasiparticle random phase approximation (PQRPA). The cross section for $\nu_e$ as a function of the incident neutrino energy is compared with recent theoretical calculations of more sophisticated models. The $\bar{\nu}-^{12}$C cross section is calculated for the first time with the PQRPA. The distribution of cross sections averaged with the Michel spectrum as well as with other estimated fluxes for future experiments is compared for both $\nu_e$ and $\bar{\nu}_e$. Some astrophysical implications are addressed.