Neutrino interactions and detections: Review and future potential

Abstract

Both experimentally and theoretically, neutrino physics thrives to be the most active and volatile area of research. The Beyond Standard Model physics of electroweak interactions became evident with the plethora of sophisticated neutrino detectors across the globe. Neutrino interaction with detector constituents plays a critical role in neutrino physics which concerns the cross section measurements. Neutrino cross sections are an essential constituent in neutrino experiments to study neutrino properties and their sources. With the advent of new precision experiments and intense neutrino sources constructed to investigate neutrino oscillations, the seemingly small neutrino interaction cross section demands precision measurements for a better understanding. We have presented a survey on neutrino interactions and cross sections in a concise format. We have also discussed the detection principle of neutrino detectors around the globe till date. Efforts have been made to discuss the neutrino interactions and cross sections based on the target element in the detector rather than interactions across the energy scale so as to understand the working principle and interaction mechanism in prospective neutrino detectors.