The ionization of H, He or Ne atoms using neutrinos or antineutrinos at keV energies

We calculate the ionization cross sections for H, He or Ne atoms using nu(e) and (v) over bar (e) scattering at keV energies. Such cross sections are useful for e.g., (v) over bar (e)-oscillation experiments using a tritium source. Using realistic atomic wave functions, we find that for E-nu less than or similar to 10 keV the atomic ionization cross sections, normalized to one electron per unit volume, are smaller than the corresponding free electron ones, and that they approach it from below as energies of 20 keV are reached. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.