QCD estimates for associated charm production by weak neutral currents

Abstract

We give quantitative estimates for associated charm production in neutrino and antineutrino induced neutral current interactions, based on (a) quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and (b) the quark parton model (QPM) and a phenomenological generalization thereof. We emphasize the need for a precise measurement of the ratio σ(v_μN→v_μe⁺X)/σ (v_μN→μ^-X) and the corresponding ratio for antineutrinos, as these can provide clean tests of certain characteristic features of QCD. Bounds are obtained for single charm production by charm-changing neutral currents.