Using the T2K near detector to study electron neutrino charged current quasi-elastic-like interactions on carbon

TL;DR

This paper reports on measurements of electron neutrino CCQE-like interactions on carbon using the T2K near detector, providing insights crucial for neutrino oscillation analyses at the far detector.

Contribution

It introduces a method to measure electron neutrino CCQE-like interactions on carbon, advancing the understanding of neutrino interactions relevant for oscillation experiments.

Findings

Developed selection criteria for $ u_e$ CCQE-like events

Estimated backgrounds and efficiencies for the measurement

Laid groundwork for cross section measurement on carbon

Abstract

In T2K $\nu_{\mu} \rightarrow \nu_{e}$ oscillation analyses, electron neutrinos are the signal at the far detector. For the beam peak energy, $\sim 0.6 \,$GeV, charged current quasi-elastic (CCQE) neutrino interactions dominate. Here we use the T2K near detector to measure electron neutrino CCQE-like interactions, which are defined by having no pions exit the nucleus: $\nu_e \,$CC$\,0\pi$. The selection, backgrounds and steps towards a cross section measurement on carbon are presented.