Modeling quasielastic lepton-nucleus interactions with ab initio spectral functions from infinite nuclear matter

Abstract

We present a study of quasielastic lepton-nucleus scattering within the local density approximation, using ab initio spectral functions from infinite nuclear matter derived with self-consistent Green's functions theory and interpolated by neural networks. We include final-state interactions in terms of the particle spectral function and investigate the importance and range of validity of this treatment for varying momentum transfer. The performance of the model is tested for inclusive electron scattering on different isospin-symmetric target nuclei, and we present results for $^{12}$C, $^{16}$O, and $^{40}$Ca. Theoretical uncertainties originating from the neural network interpolation and the Hamiltonian dependence are assessed. We also present a calculation of charged-current responses of $^{16}$O and the flux-averaged total $ν_μ-^{12}$C cross section. Our model shows good agreement with experimental data within the range of validity of our approximations. The framework can be readily extended to include additional dynamical mechanisms, such as pion production, as well as other nuclear Hamiltonians.