Examining nuclear effects in neutrino interactions with transverse kinematic imbalance

TL;DR

This paper investigates nuclear effects in neutrino interactions by analyzing transverse kinematic imbalance, proposing flux-independent observables, and suggesting on-axis measurements at NuMI for improved nuclear effect constraints.

Contribution

It introduces new transverse observables with minimal flux dependence and proposes a measurement strategy to better understand nuclear effects in neutrino interactions.

Findings

Three flux-independent distributions identified

On-axis NuMI measurements can effectively constrain nuclear effects

Method enhances understanding of nuclear effects in neutrino interactions

Abstract

We present a Monte Carlo truth study examining nuclear effects in charged-current neutrino interactions using observables constructed in the transverse plane. Three distributions are introduced that show very weak dependence on neutrino flux and its associated uncertainty. Measurements comparing these distributions between quasi-elastic-like and single charged pion final states will provide new constraints of nuclear effects. It is suggested that the on-axis position in the NuMI beam provides the correct flux to take advantage of this reduced energy dependence in measuring nuclear effect-generated transverse imbalances.