First Measurement of $\nu_{\mu}$ Induced Charged-Current $\pi^0$ Production Cross Sections on Polystyrene at $E_{\bar{\nu}_{\mu}}$ 2-10 GeV

Abstract

Understanding of the $\pi^0$ production via anti-neutrino-nucleus charged current interaction in the neutrino energy region of 1-10 GeV is essential for neutrino oscillation experiments. In this thesis, we present a measurement of charged current $\pi^0$ production from anti-muon neutrinos scattering on a polystyrene scintillator (CH) target in the MINER$\nu$A experiment. A method for selecting and reconstructing $CC\pi^0$ events is presented. The $\pi^0$ and $\mu^+$ are fully reconstructed in the final state allowing for the measurement of the final state kinematics and the neutrino energy. We describe the two methods developed in this analysis for \p0 reconstruction in the MINERvA experiment: Hough Transform and Angle Scan. Interacting neutrinos have energy $\sim3.0 GeV$ and $\pi^0$ have energy $\sim0.3GeV$. The total $CC\pi^0$ cross-section is presented as a function of neutrino energy and $Q^2$. The total Exclusive $CC\pi^0$ cross-section is presented as a function of neutrino energy, $Q^2$ and the final state kinematics. Cross Section ratio between Exclusive $CC\pi^0$ and Inclusive $CC\pi^0$ for data and Monte Carlo are presented. Neutrino beam data corresponding to $1.019 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target have been analyzed. For inclusive $CC\pi^0$ sample we reconstructed 891 events, and for exclusive $CC\pi^0$ sample we reconstructed 514 events.