- Accepted Paper
Radiative corrections to inverse beta decay: Precision analysis for reactor neutrinos
Phys. Rev. Lett. - Accepted 27 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zbcz-nkpd
Phys. Rev. Lett. - Accepted 27 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zbcz-nkpd
We present a complete calculation of radiative corrections to the inverse beta decay reaction, , at reactor antineutrino energies using heavy-baryon chiral perturbation theory. Our analysis consistently incorporates quantum electrodynamics, chromodynamics, and electroweak contributions for the first time within this framework. We provide updated, high-precision cross-section predictions with a full error budget and present the positron energy spectrum, including radiative effects. The results are essential for normalizing the reactor antineutrino flux, determining neutrino oscillation parameters with sub-percent accuracy, and searching for new physics at nuclear power plants.
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