Pion production in the T2K experiment

TL;DR

This paper uses the GiBUU model to analyze neutrino-induced pion production in the T2K experiment, providing differential and integrated cross sections, and aims to improve understanding of nucleon resonances and reduce uncertainties in neutrino interaction models.

Contribution

It offers new theoretical predictions for pion production cross sections in T2K, utilizing experimental data to constrain models and enhance the understanding of nucleon-Delta axial form factors.

Findings

Pion production cross sections help refine nucleon resonance models.

Data constrains pion production in neutrino-nucleus interactions.

Results assist in reducing uncertainties in neutrino oscillation measurements.

Abstract

Background: Pion production gives information on the axial form factors of nucleon resonances. It also introduces a noticeable background to quasi-elastic measurements on nuclear targets and thus has a significant impact on precision studies of neutrino oscillation parameters. Purpose: To clarify neutrino-induced pion production on nucleons and nuclei. Method: The Giessen Boltzmann--Uehling--Uhlenbeck (GiBUU) model is used for the description of neutrino-nucleus reactions. Results: Theoretical results for differential cross sections for the T2K neutrino flux at the ND280 detector and integrated cross sections as a function of neutrino energy are given. Two sets of pion production data on elementary targets are used as inputs to obtain limits for pion production in neutrino-nucleus reactions. Conclusions: Pion production in the T2K ND280 detector can help to narrow down the uncertainties in the elementary pion production cross sections. It can also give valuable information on the nucleon-Delta axial form factor.