Inclusive and exclusive neutrino-nucleus cross sections and the reconstruction of the interaction kinematics

TL;DR

This paper analyzes neutrino-nucleus interactions using advanced models to improve the reconstruction of neutrino kinematics, crucial for precise neutrino oscillation measurements and understanding fundamental neutrino properties.

Contribution

It implements a detailed kinematic model within the NEUT Monte Carlo framework to compare with recent experimental data, enhancing the interpretation of reaction mechanisms.

Findings

Good agreement with T2K and MINERvA data

Insights into reaction mechanisms and kinematic reconstruction

Potential improvements for neutrino oscillation experiments

Abstract

We present a full kinematic analysis of neutrino-nucleus charged current quasielastic interactions based on the Local Fermi Gas model and the Random PhaseApproximation. The model was implemented in the NEUT Monte Carlo framework, which allows us to investigate potentially measurable observables, including hadron distributions. We compare the predictions simultaneously to the most recent T2K and MINERvA charged current (CC) inclusive, CC0$\pi$ and transverse kinematic-imbalance variable results. We pursuit a microscopic interpretation of the relevant reaction mechanisms, with the aim of achieving in neutrino oscillation experiments a correct reconstruction of the incoming neutrino kinematics, free of conceptual biasses. Such study is of the utmost importance for the ambitious experimental program which is underway to precisely determine neutrino properties, test the three-generation paradigm, establish the order of mass eigenstates and investigate leptonic CP violation.