Model-independent Approach of the JUNO 8B Solar Neutrino Program

Abstract

The physics potential of detecting B-8 solar neutrinos will be exploited at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), in a model independent manner by using three distinct channels of the charged-current (CC), neutral-current (NC) and elastic scattering (ES) interactions. Due to the largest-ever mass of C-13 nuclei in the liquid-scintillator detectors and the {expected} low background level, B-8 solar neutrinos would be observable in the CC and NC interactions on C-13 for the first time. By virtue of optimized event selections and muon veto strategies, backgrounds from the accidental coincidence, muon-induced isotopes, and external backgrounds can be greatly suppressed. Excellent signal-to-background ratios can be achieved in the CC, NC and ES channels to guarantee the B-8 solar neutrino observation. From the sensitivity studies performed in this work, we show that JUNO, with ten years of data, can reach the {1 sigma} precision levels of 5%, 8% and 20% for the B-8 neutrino flux, sin(2)theta(12), and Delta m(21)(2), respectively. It would be unique and helpful to probe the details of both solar physics and neutrino physics. In addition, when combined with SNO, the world-best precision of 3% is expected for the B-8 neutrino flux measurement.