The nucleon axial mass and the MiniBooNE Quasielastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering problem

TL;DR

This paper analyzes MiniBooNE neutrino scattering data using a detailed nuclear model, showing compatibility with the standard nucleon axial mass and discussing energy estimation reliability.

Contribution

It demonstrates that incorporating nuclear effects like RPA correlations and multinucleon scattering aligns MiniBooNE data with the accepted axial mass value, challenging previous claims of anomalies.

Findings

MiniBooNE data compatible with world average axial mass

Nuclear effects are crucial for accurate data interpretation

Energy estimation algorithms are critically evaluated

Abstract

The charged-current double differential neutrino cross section, measured by the MiniBooNE Collaboration, has been analyzed using a microscopical model that accounts for, among other nuclear effects, long range nuclear (RPA) correlations and multinucleon scattering. We find that MiniBooNE data are fully compatible with the world average of the nucleon axial mass in contrast with several previous analyses which have suggested an anomalously large value. We also discuss the reliability of the algorithm used to estimate the neutrino energy.