Comparison of Validation Methods of Simulations for Final State Interactions in Hadron Production Experiments

TL;DR

This paper compares different validation methods for simulating hadronic final state interactions in neutrino experiments, focusing on the relationship between reaction cross sections and transparency to improve modeling accuracy.

Contribution

It evaluates the effectiveness of validation techniques using hadron-nucleus data versus transparency data from a simulation perspective.

Findings

Transparency data provides complementary validation insights.

Simulation results show differences between validation methods.

Improved modeling can reduce uncertainties in neutrino measurements.

Abstract

Neutrino cross section and oscillation measurements depend critically on modeling of hadronic final state interactions (FSI). Often, this is one of the largest components of uncertainty in a measurement. This is because of the difficulty in modeling strong interactions in nuclei in a consistent quantum-mechanical framework. FSI models are most often validated using hadron-nucleus data which introduces further uncertainties. The alternative is to use transparency data where the hadron starts propagating from inside the nucleus and the probability of interaction is measured as a function of hadron energy. This work examines the relationship between the $\pi^+$ and proton total reaction cross section and transparency from a simulation viewpoint.