Nuclear effects in Reactions \nu p -> \mu^- p \pi^+ and \nu p -> \mu^- \Delta^{++}(1232) on Bound Protons

TL;DR

This study investigates nuclear effects in neutrino-induced reactions on bound protons at 9 GeV, revealing significant nuclear absorption of 232(1232) and quantifying intranuclear interaction probabilities using bubble chamber data.

Contribution

First measurement of nuclear effects in 232(1232) production on bound protons at 9 GeV with detailed analysis of intranuclear interactions and resonance yields.

Findings

Nuclear effects explained by Fermi-motion and elastic scattering.

Probability of intranuclear interactions P_int = 0.40b113.

232(1232) resonance yield is significantly suppressed compared to hydrogen reactions.

Abstract

For the first time, the nuclear effects in the reaction \nu p -> \mu^- p \pi^+ on bound protons are investigated at E_\nu = 9 GeV and the effective atomicweight A = 21 of the composite nuclear target using the data obtained with SKAT bubble chamber. The observed nuclear effects are explained by the Fermi-motion of the target proton and secondary elastic scattering of neutrinoproduced hadrons on intranuclear neutrons. The probability of any intranuclear interaction of neutrinoproduced hadrons is extracted: P_int = 0.40+-0.13, while the probability of interactions occurring only via elastic scattering on intranuclear neutrons is estimated to be P_c = 0.14+-0.05. A clear evidence of the \Delta^{++}(1232) and an indication on the \Delta^{++}(1620) isobar states production are observed with the mean yields, respectively, 0.57+-0.09 and 0.40+-0.26 (the latter being corrected for the p \pi^+ decay fraction). The mean yield of \Delta^{++}(1232) is by 1.61+-0.25 times smaller than expected for the reaction on the hydrogen target, thus indicating on its rather strong nuclear absorption.