Ionization of Helium Atoms under the Effect of the Antineutrino Magnetic Moment

Differential cross sections for inelastic antineutrino interaction with a helium atom are calculated. It is shown that, in the energy-transfer range extending up to 1 keV, the cross sections in question are considerably enhanced in the electromagnetic-interaction channel in relation to the cross sections for elastic scattering on a free electron. Absolute cross-section values are of interest in searches for the antineutrino magnetic moment, provided that its value in Bohr magneton units falls within the range (10−13−10−12)µB.