Comparing generator predictions of transverse kinematic imbalance in neutrino-argon scattering

TL;DR

This paper compares predictions from multiple neutrino event generators for transverse kinematic imbalance in neutrino-argon scattering, highlighting differences and potential for future experimental discrimination of nuclear models.

Contribution

First detailed comparison of generator predictions for transverse kinematic imbalance in neutrino-argon interactions, aiding nuclear effect understanding.

Findings

Differences observed among GENIE, NuWro, GiBUU, NEUT predictions.

Potential to discriminate nuclear models with future measurements.

Applicable to various liquid argon neutrino experiments.

Abstract

The largest uncertainties in estimating neutrino-nucleus interaction cross sections lie in the incomplete understanding of nuclear effects. A powerful tool to study nuclear effects is Transverse Kinematic Imbalance. This paper presents the first detailed comparison of the predictions of multiple event generators for distributions associated with Transverse Kinematic Imbalance for neutrino interactions on argon. Predictions for muon neutrinos interacting with an argon target are obtained using four standard neutrino event generation tools (GENIE, NuWro, GiBUU and NEUT). Example opportunities for discrimination between nuclear models leveraging future measurements are highlighted. The predictions shown in this paper are motivated by studying muon neutrinos from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam interacting at the location of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber, but the methods directly apply to other accelerator-based liquid argon neutrino experiments such as SBND, ICARUS and DUNE.