Comparison of \nu\mu-Ar multiplicity distributions observed by MicroBooNE to GENIE model predictions

TL;DR

This study compares observed muon neutrino interaction data on argon with GENIE model predictions, finding that GENIE models accurately describe many kinematic distributions, aiding future neutrino interaction understanding.

Contribution

First comprehensive comparison of MicroBooNE argon data with GENIE predictions across multiple observables at 800 MeV energy.

Findings

GENIE models describe the shape of many kinematic distributions well

Data-driven background separation techniques were effective

Results support the validity of current neutrino interaction models

Abstract

We measure a large set of observables in inclusive charged current muon neutrino scattering on argon with the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber operating at Fermilab. We evaluate three neutrino interaction models based on the widely used GENIE event generator using these observables. The measurement uses a data set consisting of neutrino interactions with a final state muon candidate fully contained within the MicroBooNE detector. These data were collected in 2016 with the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam, which has an average neutrino energy of 800 MeV, using an exposure corresponding to 5E19 protons-on-target. The analysis employs fully automatic event selection and charged particle track reconstruction and uses a data-driven technique to separate neutrino interactions from cosmic ray background events. We find that GENIE models consistently describe the shapes of a large number of kinematic distributions for fixed observed multiplicity.