Neutrino Detection Primer

Abstract : This report is intended to provide for non-expert readers a survey of natural and man made neutrino sources and a critical review of various methods which have been proposed for their detection. Detection methods may be divided into two classes, those which have very modest performance and might actually work, and those which promise spectacular performance but violate the laws of physics. Emphasis in this report is on the second class of methods. The purpose is not to describe in detail what is possible, but to establish firm limits beyond which all schemes for detection capability are impossible. The last two sections of the report are for advanced students only and should be skipped by the non expert. They provide precise mathematical statements and proofs of the limits which the laws of physics impose upon neutrino cross sections. The limits are neither simple nor obvious. Consequently, it may be useful to have their technical justification here put on record.