First measurement of $\nu_e$ + $\bar{\nu}_e$ charged current single charged pion production differential cross sections on argon using the MicroBooNE detector

Abstract

Understanding electron neutrino interactions is crucial for measurements of neutrino oscillations and searches for new physics in neutrino experiments. We present the first measurement of the flux-averaged $\nu_e$ + $\bar{\nu}_e$ charged current single charged pion production cross section on argon using the MicroBooNE detector and data from the NuMI neutrino beam. The total cross section is measured to be (0.93 $\pm$ 0.13 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.27 (syst.)) $\times 10^{-39}$ cm$^2$/nucleon at a mean $\nu_e$ + $\bar{\nu}_e$ energy of 730 MeV. Differential cross sections are also reported in electron energy, electron and pion angles, and electron-pion opening angle.