Measurement of the ν$_e$-Nucleus Charged-Current Double-Differential Cross Section at ⟨$E$$_ν$⟩=2.4 GeV Using NOvA

Abstract

The inclusive electron neutrino charged-current cross section is measured in the NOvA near detector using 8.02 ×10$^{20}$ protons-on-target in the NuMI beam. The sample of GeV electron neutrino interactions is the largest analyzed to date and is limited by ≃17% systematic rather than the ≃ 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$$^2$ (squared four-momentum transfer) and energy, in the range 1 GeV≤ $E$$_ν$< 6 GeV. Detailed comparisons are made to the predictions of the GENIE, GiBUU, NEUT, and NuWro neutrino event generators. The data do not strongly favor a model over the others consistently across all three cross sections measured, though some models have especially good or poor agreement in the single differential cross section vs Q$^2$.