Improving target neutron momentum reconstruction using MINER$\nu$A $\pi^0$ data

Abstract

With the neutrino experiments advancing toward high-precision measurements and greater emphasis on reducing systematic uncertainties, improving the single-pion production models, a major component of the hadronic activity observed in the neutrino oscillation experiments, into the Monte Carlo simulations is crucial. This work presents the predictions of the struck nucleon's Fermi motion by analyzing the charged-current neutral pion production on carbon nucleus in MINER$\nu$A. A minimal variation of GENIE and NuWro based on their default models shows an improvement in the prediction of single $\pi^0$ production. The prediction describes the data more accurately in the higher-momentum tail; however, discrepancies between the predictions and data below the Fermi peak highlight the limitations in current nuclear models used in the Monte Carlo generators.