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 π+ and proton total reaction cross section and transparency from a simulation viewpoint.
Full text
Available for:
CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UM
The extraction of neutrino mixing parameters from accelerator-based neutrino-oscillation experiments relies on proper modeling of neutrino-nucleus scattering processes using neutrino interaction ...event generators. Experimental tests of these generators are difficult due to the broad range of neutrino energies produced in accelerator-based beams and the low statistics of current experiments. Here we overcome these difficulties by exploiting the similarity of neutrino and electron interactions with nuclei to test neutrino event generators using high-precision inclusive electron-scattering data. To this end, we revised the electron-scattering mode of the genie event generator (e-genie) to include electron-nucleus bremsstrahlung radiation effects and to use, when relevant, the exact same physics models and model parameters, as the standard neutrino-scattering version. We also implemented new models for quasielastic (QE) scattering and meson exchange currents (MECs) based on the theory-inspired super scaling approach SuSAv2. Comparing the new e-genie predictions with inclusive electron-scattering data, we find an overall adequate description of the data in the QE- and MEC-dominated lower energy transfer regime, especially when using the SuSAv2 models. Higher energy transfer interactions, which are dominated by resonance production, are still not well modeled by e-genie.
Full text
Available for:
CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UM
This paper describes the design and construction of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber and associated systems. MicroBooNE is the first phase of the Short Baseline Neutrino program, ...located at Fermilab, and will utilize the capabilities of liquid argon detectors to examine a rich assortment of physics topics. In this document details of design specifications, assembly procedures, and acceptance tests are reported.
Final-state kinematic imbalances are measured in mesonless production of νμ+A→μ-+p+X in the MINERvA tracker. Initial- and final-state nuclear effects are probed using the direction of the μ- - p ...transverse momentum imbalance and the initial-state momentum of the struck neutron. Differential cross sections are compared to predictions based on current approaches to medium modeling. These models underpredict the cross section at intermediate intranuclear momentum transfers that generally exceed the Fermi momenta. As neutrino interaction models need to correctly incorporate the effect of the nucleus in order to predict neutrino energy resolution in oscillation experiments, this result points to a region of phase space where additional cross section strength is needed in current models, and demonstrates a new technique that would be suitable for use in fine-grained liquid argon detectors where the effect of the nucleus may be even larger.
Full text
Available for:
CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UM
Elastic neutrino scattering on electrons is a precisely known purely leptonic process that provides a standard candle for measuring neutrino flux in conventional neutrino beams. Using a total sample ...of 810 neutrino-electron scatters after background subtraction, the measurement reduces the normalization uncertainty on the ν μ NuMI beam flux between 2 and 20 GeV from 7.6 to 3.9%. This is the most precise measurement of neutrino-electron scattering to date, will reduce uncertainties on MINER ν A's absolute cross section measurements, and demonstrates a technique that can be used in future neutrino beams such as long baseline neutrino facility.
Full text
Available for:
CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UM
The development and operation of liquid-argon time-projection chambers for neutrino physics has created a need for new approaches to pattern recognition in order to fully exploit the imaging ...capabilities offered by this technology. Whereas the human brain can excel at identifying features in the recorded events, it is a significant challenge to develop an automated, algorithmic solution. The Pandora Software Development Kit provides functionality to aid the design and implementation of pattern-recognition algorithms. It promotes the use of a multi-algorithm approach to pattern recognition, in which individual algorithms each address a specific task in a particular topology. Many tens of algorithms then carefully build up a picture of the event and, together, provide a robust automated pattern-recognition solution. This paper describes details of the chain of over one hundred Pandora algorithms and tools used to reconstruct cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector. Metrics that assess the current pattern-recognition performance are presented for simulated MicroBooNE events, using a selection of final-state event topologies.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We present a search for the decays of a neutral scalar boson produced by kaons decaying at rest, in the context of the Higgs portal model, using the MicroBooNE detector. We analyze data triggered in ...time with the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beam spill, with an exposure of 1020 protons on target. We look for monoenergetic scalars that come from the direction of the NuMI hadron absorber, at a distance of 100 m from the detector, and decay to electron-positron pairs. We observe one candidate event, with a standard model background prediction of 1.9±0.8. We set an upper limit on the scalar–Higgs mixing angle of θ<(3.3−4.6)×10−4 at the 95% confidence level for scalar boson masses in the range(100–200) MeV/c2. We exclude, at the 95% confidence level, the remaining model parameters required to explain the central value of a possible excess of KL0→π0νν¯ decays reported by the KOTO collaboration. We also provide a model-independent limit on a new boson X produced in K→πX decays and decaying to e+e−.
Full text
Available for:
CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UM
We report a study of ν(μ) charged-current quasielastic events in the segmented scintillator inner tracker of the MINERvA experiment running in the NuMI neutrino beam at Fermilab. The events were ...selected by requiring a μ- and low calorimetric recoil energy separated from the interaction vertex. We measure the flux-averaged differential cross section, dσ/dQ², and study the low energy particle content of the final state. Deviations are found between the measured dσ/dQ² and the expectations of a model of independent nucleons in a relativistic Fermi gas. We also observe an excess of energy near the vertex consistent with multiple protons in the final state.
Full text
Available for:
CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UM
PDF
