Measurements of Charged Current Reactions of $\nu_e$ on $^{12}C$

Abstract

Charged Current reactions of $\nu_e$ on $^{12}C$ have been studied using a $\mu^+$ decay-at-rest $\nu_e$ beam at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. The cross section for the exclusive reaction $^{12}C(\nu_e,e^-)^{12}N_{g.s.}$ was measured to be $(8.9\pm0.3\pm0.9)\times10^{-42}$ cm$^2$. The observed energy dependence of the cross section and angular distribution of the outgoing electron agree well with theoretical expectations. Measurements are also presented for inclusive transitions to $^{12}N$ excited states, $^{12}C(\nu_e,e^-)^{12}N^*$ and compared with theoretical expectations. The measured cross section, $(4.3\pm0.4\pm0.6)\times10^{-42}$ cm$^2$, is somewhat lower than previous measurements and than a continuum random phase approximation calculation. It is in better agreement with a recent shell model calculation.