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Abstract

Neutrino research is at the forefront of new and exciting experimental searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. MicroBooNE is the first of several detectors in Fermilab's leading-edge liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) program working toward stringent measurements of neutrino oscillations and searches for new physics. At energies relevant to accelerator-based experiments, electron neutrino charged current interactions with at least one proton and no pions in the final topology are a dominant contribution to event rates. To date, however, limited experimental validation of this cross section exists, though such constraints are crucial for next-generation LArTPCs to reach discovery precision in the electron neutrino appearance oscillation channel. While MicroBooNE's primary physics analyses make use of the on-axis Booster Neutrino Beam, a significant off-axis neutrino flux is also received from the higher energy Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam. The greater electron neutrino content of the NuMI beam provides a unique opportunity for MicroBooNE to perform world-leading cross section measurements. This work presents the extraction of exclusive differential electron neutrino cross sections using a combination of NuMI data collected in neutrino and antineutrino mode by MicroBooNE. A state-of-the-art NuMI flux prediction, high purity event selection algorithm, and thorough evaluation of uncertainties are developed. Measurements are derived as a function of outgoing electron energy, total visible energy of the interaction, and opening angle between the electron and most energetic proton. The interaction rate as a function of proton multiplicity is also reported. Data-driven cross sections are compared to model predictions from neutrino event generators commonly employed in the field.

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