O16 spectral function from coupled-cluster theory: Applications to lepton-nucleus scattering

Neutrino experiments such as long-baseline oscillation measurements can determine properties of fundamental particles, but the present systematic uncertainties, e. g. , in the neutrino-nucleus cross sections, must be significantly reduced. The authors determine the ^16O spectral function from an a0{0ex}b-i0{0ex}n0{0ex}i0{0ex}t0{0ex}i0{0ex}o calculation with realistic two- and three-body interactions that is benchmarked against earlier ^4He results. They then obtain good results in the relativistic regime for quasi-elastic electron scattering as well as for neutrino scattering data from T2K. The predictions for both electron and neutrino scattering identify a particular need for low-energy electron-scattering data on ^16O, for which a program is underway at MAMI in Germany. And being able to propagate the theoretical uncertainties to the final cross sections promises improved understanding of the anticipated more precise results from next-generation neutrino experiments.