First Measurements of Inclusive Muon Neutrino Charged Current Differential Cross Sections on Argon

TL;DR

This paper reports the first measurements of muon neutrino charged current differential cross sections on argon, validating liquid argon detector technology and aiding neutrino oscillation research.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental differential cross section data for muon neutrinos on argon, supporting neutrino interaction models and detector validation.

Findings

Data are consistent with Monte Carlo simulations.

Results cover muon angles 0-36 degrees and momenta 0-25 GeV/c.

Supports liquid argon TPC technology for neutrino detection.

Abstract

The ArgoNeuT collaboration presents the first measurements of inclusive muon neutrino charged current differential cross sections on argon. Obtained in the NuMI neutrino beamline at Fermilab, the results are reported in terms of outgoing muon angle and momentum. The data are consistent with the Monte Carlo expectation across the full range of kinematics sampled, $0^\circ$$<\theta_\mu$$<36^\circ$ and 0$<P_\mu$$<25$ GeV/c. Along with confirming the viability of liquid argon time projection chamber technology for neutrino detection, the measurements allow tests of low energy neutrino scattering models important for interpreting results from long baseline neutrino oscillation experiments designed to investigate CP violation and the orientation of the neutrino mass hierarchy.