Development of detectors and simulation method for measurement of hadrons from neutrino interactions

As neutrino physics enters the precision era, the need for more data and better interpretation of those data grows ever more crucial. Building new detectors with improved sensitivity that can make novel kinematic measurements underpins the drive for more data and allowing data to be used to best effect in particle physics analyses requires constant improvement on the understanding of neutrino physics models and their implementation in simulation. This thesis describes both work on a new neutrino detector with sensitivity to low momentum hadrons from neutrino interactions, and development of the NEUT interaction generator for providing better handling of the final state interactions of such hadrons. Described herein, a prototype high pressure time projection chamber with optical and charge readout was built, commissioned, and operated at a beam test at the T10 beamline at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). A characterisation of the beam is presented based on simulation and analysis of two time of flight systems, as well as a description of techniques used for analysing the time projection chamber optical readout. This thesis also includes development of variable parameters governing nucleon final state interactions in the NEUT generator used by the Tokai to Kamiokande (T2K) experiment. A method of reweighting was produced to allow the use of these parameters in analyses, and extensive validations of this method are presented. ; Open Access