arXiv subjects

C. Cuesta

Publications and source records attributed to C. Cuesta.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Scintillation light detection in the long-drift ProtoDUNE-DP liquid argon TPC

ProtoDUNE-DP is a 6x6x6 m3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) operated at the Neutrino Platform at CERN in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. The light signal in these detectors is crucial to provide precise timing capabilities. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation light produced by cosmic muons inthe LArTPC is collected by the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) placed up to 7 m away from the point of interaction. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and compared to simulations, improving the understanding of some liquid argon properties.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Cosmic Background Removal with Deep Neural Networks in SBND

In liquid argon time projection chambers exposed to neutrino beams and running on or near surface levels, cosmic muons and other cosmic particles are incident on the detectors while a single neutrino-induced event is being recorded. In practice, this means that data from surface liquid argon time projection chambers will be dominated by cosmic particles, both as a source of event triggers and as the majority of the particle count in true neutrino-triggered events. In this work, we demonstrate a novel application of deep learning techniques to remove these background particles by applying semantic segmentation on full detector images from the SBND detector, the near detector in the Fermilab Short-Baseline Neutrino Program. We use this technique to identify, at single image-pixel level, whether recorded activity originated from cosmic particles or neutrino interactions.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2021

ADC Nonlinearity Correction for the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR

Imperfections in analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) cannot be ignored when signal digitization requirements demand both wide dynamic range and high resolution, as is the case for the Majorana Demonstrator 76Ge neutrinoless double beta decay search. Enabling the experiment's high-resolution spectral analysis and efficient pulse shape discrimination required careful measurement and correction of ADC nonlinearites. A simple measurement protocol was developed that did not require sophisticated equipment or lengthy data taking campaigns. A slope-dependent hysteresis was observed and characterized. A correction applied to digitized waveforms prior to signal processing reduced the differential and integral nonlinearites by an order of magnitude, eliminating these as dominant contributions to the systematic energy uncertainty at the double-beta decay Q value.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

ProtoDUNE-DP Light Acquisition and Calibration Software

ProtoDUNE-DP is a 6x6x6 m3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber operated at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the Dual Phase concept for the DUNE Far Detector. The Photon Detection System (PDS) is based on 36 8-inch photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs) and allows triggering on the scintillation light signals produced by cosmic rays and other charged particles traversing the detector. The acquisition and calibration software specifically developed for the ProtoDUNE-DP PDS is described in this paper. This software controls the high-voltage power supplies, the calibration system, and the PDS DAQ. It has been developed with Qt Creator, and features different operation modes, and a graphical user interface. This software has already been validated and used during the ProtoDUNE-DP operation.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

The Majorana Demonstrator's Search for Double-Beta Decay of $^{76}$Ge to Excited States of $^{76}$Se

The Majorana Demonstrator is a neutrinoless double-beta decay search consisting of a low-background modular array of high-purity germanium detectors, $\sim2/3$ of which are enriched to 88\% in $^{76}$Ge. The experiment is also searching for double-beta decay of $^{76}$Ge to excited states (e.s.) in $^{76}$Se. $^{76}$Ge can decay into three daughter states of $^{76}$Se, with clear event signatures consisting of a $ββ$-decay followed by the prompt emission of one or two $γ$-rays. This results with high probability in multi-detector coincidences. The granularity of the Demonstrator detector array enables powerful discrimination of this event signature from backgrounds. Using 41.9~kg-y of isotopic exposure, the Demonstrator has set world leading limits for each e.s.\ decay of $^{76}$Ge, with 90\% CL lower half-life limits in the range of $(0.75-4.0)\times10^{24}$~y. In particular, for the $2ν$ transition to the first $0^+$ e.s.\ of $^{76}$Se, a lower half-life limit of $7.5\times10^{23}$~y at 90\% CL was achieved.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

Study of scintillation light collection, production and propagation in a 4 tonne dual-phase LArTPC

The $3 \times 1 \times 1$ m$^3$ demonstrator is a dual phase liquid argon time projection chamber that has recorded cosmic rays events in 2017 at CERN. The light signal in these detectors is crucial to provide precise timing capabilities. The performances of the photon detection system, composed of five PMTs, are discussed. The collected scintillation and electroluminescence light created by passing particles has been studied in various detector conditions. In particular, the scintillation light production and propagation processes have been analyzed and compared to simulations, improving the understanding of some liquid argon properties.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Core-Collapse Supernove Burst Neutrinos in DUNE

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), a 40-kton fiducial mass underground liquid argon time projection chamber experiment, will be sensitive to the electron-neutrino-flavor component of the burst of neutrinos expected from the next Galactic core-collapse supernova. Such an observation will bring unique insight into the astrophysics of core collapse as well as into the properties of neutrinos. The recent progress on detection and reconstruction of supernova burst neutrinos in DUNE, including the contribution of the light detection systems are presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

First testing of the Hamamatsu R5912-02Mod photomultiplier tube at 4-bar pressure and cryogenic temperature

The Hamamatsu R5912-02Mod photomultiplier tube (PMT) will be used in the DUNE dual-phase module, a 10-kton fiducial volume liquid-argon time-projection chamber, which is one of the four projected far-detector modules of the DUNE long-baseline neutrino experiment. In the DUNE dual-phase module, the liquid argon places high pressure on the photo-detectors located at the bottom of the 14-m cryostat. Four Hamamatsu R5912-02Mod PMTs were tested at 4-bar absolute pressure and cryogenic temperature (in liquid nitrogen) for the first time. No mechanical or electrical damage is reported, validating the use of this PMT model in the DUNE dual-phase module and in other large scale cryogenic liquid detectors. The differences observed in their behavior are expected for the change in the PMT operating temperature.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Construction of precision wire readout planes for the Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND)

The Short-Baseline Near Detector time projection chamber is unique in the design of its charge readout planes. These anode plane assemblies (APAs) have been fabricated and assembled to meet strict accuracy and precision requirements: wire spacing of 3 mm +/- 0.5 mm and wire tension of 7 N +/- 1 N across 3,964 wires per APA, and flatness within 0.5 mm over the 4 m +/- 2.5 m extent of each APA. This paper describes the design, manufacture and assembly of these key detector components, with a focus on the quality assurance at each stage.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

A Low Energy Rare Event Search with the Majorana Demonstrator

The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is sensitive to rare events near its energy threshold, including bosonic dark matter, solar axions, and lightly ionizing particles. In this analysis, a novel training set of low energy small-angle Compton scatter events is used to determine the efficiency of pulse shape analysis cuts, and we present updated bosonic dark matter and solar axion results from an 11.17 kg-y dataset using a 5 keV analysis threshold.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Results of the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR's Search for Double-Beta Decay of $^{76}$Ge to Excited States of $^{76}$Se

The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is searching for double-beta decay of $^{76}$Ge to excited states (E.S.) in $^{76}$Se using a modular array of high purity Germanium detectors. $^{76}$Ge can decay into three E.S.s of $^{76}$Se. The E.S. decays have a clear event signature consisting of a $ββ$-decay with the prompt emission of one or two $γ$-rays, resulting in with high probability in a multi-site event. The granularity of the DEMONSTRATOR detector array enables powerful discrimination of this event signature from backgrounds. Using 21.3 kg-y of isotopic exposure, the DEMONSTRATOR has set world leading limits for each E.S. decay, with 90% CL lower half-life limits in the range of $(0.56-2.1)\cdot10^{24}$ y. In particular, for the $2ν$ transition to the first $0^+$ E.S. of $^{76}$Se, a lower half-life limit of $0.68\cdot10^{24}$ at 90% CL was achieved.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2019

Status of ProtoDUNE Dual Phase

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a dual-site experiment for long baseline neutrino oscillation studies, and for neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. DUNE will comprise four 10 kton fiducial liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LAr TPC) modules placed at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (South Dakota, USA). One of these modules will profit form the dual phase (DP) technology where the charge is extracted, amplified, and detected in gaseous argon above the liquid surface allowing a fine readout pitch, a low energy threshold, and good pattern reconstruction of the events. To gain experience in building and operating such a large-scale DP LAr detector, a prototype is currently being assembled at the CERN Neutrino Platform. The ProtoDUNE-DP detector consists of a 6x6x6 m3 LAr TPC and commissioning started in Summer 2019.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Analysis of backgrounds for the ANAIS-112 dark matter experiment

The ANAIS (Annual modulation with NaI(Tl) Scintillators) experiment aims at the confirmation or refutation of theDAMA/LIBRA positive annual modulation signal in the low energy detection rate, using the same target and technique, at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) in Spain. ANAIS-112, consisting of nine 12.5 kg NaI(Tl) modules produced by Alpha Spectra Inc. in a 3x3matrix configuration, is taking data smoothly in "dark matter search" mode since August, 2017, after a commissioning phase and operation of the first detectors during the last years in various setups. A large effort has been carried out withinANAIS to characterize the background of sodium iodide detectors, before unblinding the data and performing the first annual modulation analysis. Here, the background models developed for all the nine ANAIS-112 detectors are presented. Measured spectra from threshold to high energy in different conditions are well described by the models based on quantified activities independently estimated following several approaches. In the region from 1 to 6 keVee the measured, efficiency corrected background level is 3.58+-0.02 keV-1 kg-1 day-1; NaI crystal bulk contamination is the dominant background source being 210Pb, 40K, 22Na and 3H contributions the most relevant ones. This background level, added to the achieved 1 keVee analysis threshold (thanks to the outstanding light collection and robust filtering procedures developed), allow ANAIS-112 to be sensitive to the modulation amplitude measured by DAMA/LIBRA, and able to explore at three sigma level in 5 years the WIMP parameter region singled out by this experiment.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Search for Tri-Nucleon Decay in the Majorana Demonstrator

The Majorana Demonstrator is an ultra low-background experiment searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay in $^{76}$Ge. The heavily shielded array of germanium detectors, placed nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, also allows searches for new exotic physics. We present the first limits for tri-nucleon decay-specific modes and invisible decay modes for Ge isotopes. We find a half-life limit of $4.9 \times 10^{25}$ yr for the decay $^{76}{\rm Ge(ppn)} \to {}^{73}{\rm Zn}\ e^+π^+$ and $4.7\times10^{25}$ yr for the decay $^{76}{\rm Ge(ppp)} \to ^{73}{\rm Cu}\ e^+π^+π^+$. The half-life limit for the invisible tri-proton decay mode of $^{76}$Ge was found to be $7.5\times10^{24}$ yr.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2019

Performance of ANAIS-112 experiment after the first year of data taking

ANAIS is a direct detection dark matter experiment aiming at the study of the annual modulation expected in the interaction rate. It uses same target and technique than DAMA/LIBRA experiment, which reported a highly significant positive modulation compatible with that expected for dark matter particles distributed in the galactic halo. However, other very sensitive experiments do not find any hint of particles with the required properties, although comparison is model dependent. In 2017, ANAIS-112 experiment was installed at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC), in Spain, and after the commissioning run for calibration and general assessment, ANAIS-112 started data taking in dark matter mode on August 3$^{rd}$, 2017. It consists of nine NaI(Tl) modules, amounting 112.5 kg of mass in total. ANAIS-112 will be able to test the DAMA/LIBRA result with the achieved background and threshold at three sigma level in five years of data taking. Here we report on the experimental apparatus and detector performance after the first year of data taking. Total live time available amounts to 341.72 days, being the corresponding exposure 105.32 kg x yr.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

ANAIS-112 sensitivity in the search for dark matter annual modulation

The annual modulation measured by the DAMA/LIBRA experiment can be explained by the interaction of dark matter WIMPs in NaI(Tl) scintillator detectors. Other experiments, with different targets or techniques, exclude the region of parameters singled out by DAMA/LIBRA, but the comparison of their results relies on several hypotheses regarding the dark matter model. ANAIS-112 is a dark matter search with 112.5 kg of NaI(Tl) scintillators at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) to test the DAMA/LIBRA result in a model independent way. We analyze its prospects in terms of the a priori critical and detection limits of the experiment. A simple figure of merit has been obtained to compare the different experiments looking for the annual modulation observed by DAMA/LIBRA. We conclude that after 5 years of measurement, ANAIS-112 can detect the annual modulation in the 3$σ$ region compatible with the DAMA/LIBRA result.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

A Light Calibration System for the ProtoDUNE-DP Detector

A LED-based fiber calibration system for the ProtoDUNE-Dual Phase (DP) photon detection system (PDS) has been designed and validated. ProtoDUNE-DP is a 6x6x6 m3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber currently being installed at the Neutrino Platform at CERN. The PDS is based on 36 8-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and will allow triggering on cosmic rays. The system serves as prototype for the PDS of the final DUNE DP far detector in which the PDS also has the function to allow the 3D event reconstruction on non-beam physics. For this purpose an equalized PMT response is desirable to allow using the same threshold definition for all PMT groups, simplifying the determination of the trigger efficiency. The light calibration system described in this paper is developed to provide this and to monitor the PMT performance in-situ.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

First results on dark matter annual modulation from ANAIS-112 experiment

ANAIS is a direct detection dark matter experiment aiming at the testing of the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation result, which standing for about two decades has neither been confirmed nor ruled out by any other experiment in a model independent way. ANAIS-112, consisting of 112.5 kg of sodium iodide crystals, is taking data at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory, Spain, since August 2017. This letter presents the annual modulation analysis of 1.5 years of data, amounting to 157.55 kg$\times$y. We focus on the model independent analysis searching for modulation and the validation of our sensitivity prospects. ANAIS-112 data are consistent with the null hypothesis (p-values of 0.65 and 0.16 for [2-6] and [1-6] keV energy regions, respectively). The best fits for the modulation hypothesis are consistent with the absence of modulation ($S_m$=-0.0044$\pm$0.0058 cpd/kg/keV and -0.0015$\pm$0.0063 cpd/kg/keV, respectively). They are in agreement with our estimated sensitivity for the accumulated exposure, supporting our projected goal of reaching a 3$σ$ sensitivity to the DAMA/LIBRA result in 5 years of data taking.

astro-ph.IM↗