Probing Nuclear Effects at the T2K Near Detector Using Single-Transverse Kinematic Imbalance

Abstract

In order to make precision measurements of neutrino oscillations using few-GeV neutrino beams a detailed understanding of nuclear effects in neutrino scattering is essential. Recent studies have revealed that single-transverse kinematic imbalance (STKI), defined in the plane transverse to an incoming neutrino beam, can act as a unique probe of these nuclear effects. This work first illustrates that an exclusive measurement of STKI at the off-axis near detector of the T2K experiment (ND280) is expected distinguish the presence of interactions with two nucleons producing two holes (2p-2h) from alterations of the predominant underlying cross-section parameter ($M_A$ - the nucleon axial mass). Such a measurement is then demonstrated with fake data, showing substantial nuclear model separation potential.

3 pages, LaTeX, 3 figures, proceedings of XXVII International Conference on Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics (Neutrino 2016, London, 4-9 July 2016)