Measurement of the $\nu_e-$Nucleus Charged-Current Double-Differential Cross Section at $\left< E_{\nu} \right> = $ 2.4 GeV using NOvA

TL;DR

This paper reports the first measurement of the double-differential electron neutrino charged-current cross section at an average energy of 2.4 GeV using the NOvA detector, providing detailed data for model comparison.

Contribution

It presents the first double-differential cross section measurements in electron energy and angle for neutrino interactions at this energy range, using the largest dataset to date.

Findings

Data do not strongly favor any single neutrino interaction model.

The measured cross sections provide new constraints for neutrino interaction models.

Some models show better agreement in specific differential cross sections.

Abstract

The inclusive electron neutrino charged-current cross section is measured in the NOvA near detector using $8.02\times10^{20}$ protons-on-target (POT) in the NuMI beam. The sample of GeV electron neutrino interactions is the largest analyzed to date and is limited by $\simeq$ 17\% systematic rather than the $\simeq$ 7.4\% statistical uncertainties. The double-differential cross section in final-state electron energy and angle is presented for the first time, together with the single-differential dependence on $Q^{2}$ (squared four-momentum transfer) and energy, in the range 1 GeV $ \leq E_{\nu} < $6 GeV. Detailed comparisons are made to the predictions of the GENIE, GiBUU, NEUT, and NuWro neutrino event generators. The data do not strongly favor a model over the others consistently across all three cross sections measured, though some models have especially good or poor agreement in the single differential cross section vs. $Q^{2}$.