Charged Current Quasi-Elastic Interactions at MiniBooNE Confront Cross Section Monte Carlos

TL;DR

MiniBooNE aims to clarify neutrino oscillation signals and improve understanding of neutrino cross sections at 0-2 GeV by analyzing muon neutrino interactions and comparing results with multiple Monte Carlo models.

Contribution

First detailed comparison of MiniBooNE muon neutrino charged current quasi-elastic data with several cross section Monte Carlo simulations.

Findings

Preliminary data show agreement with some Monte Carlo models.

Results will refine neutrino cross section measurements.

Data contributes to resolving LSND anomaly.

Abstract

Neutrino oscillations have been established in solar and atmospheric neutrinos, but a third signal from the LSND experiment is incompatible with three Standard Model neutrinos. The MiniBooNE experiment can confirm or refute the LSND signal with 1E21 protons on target. While working towards the oscillation result, MiniBooNE will accumulate more than 1E6 neutrino interactions in the 0 to 2 GeV range which will greatly increase the world's knowledge of neutrino cross sections in this energy regime. Preliminary results on the MiniBooNE muon neutrino charged current quasi-elastic analysis are presented and compared to the NUANCE, NEUT, and NEUGEN cross section Monte Carlos.