Constraints on Parton Charge Symmetry and Implications for Neutrino Reactions

Abstract

For the first time, charge symmetry breaking terms in parton distribution functions have been included in a global fit to high energy data. We review the results obtained for both valence and sea quark charge symmetry violation, and we compare these results with the most stringent experimental upper limits on charge symmetry violation for parton distribution functions, and with theoretical estimates of charge symmetry violation. The limits allowed in the global fit would tolerate a rather large violation of charge symmetry. We discuss the implications of this for the extraction of the Weinberg angle in neutrino DIS by the NuTeV collaboration.