arXiv subjects

C. Wiebusch

Publications and source records attributed to C. Wiebusch.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

First Measurement of Neutrino Emissions from Spent Nuclear Fuel by the Double Chooz Experiment

Neutrino emission from nuclear reactors provides real-time insights into reactor power and fuel evolution, with potential applications in monitoring and nuclear safeguards. Following reactor shutdown, a low-intensity flux of ``residual neutrinos'' persists due to the decay of long-lived fission isotopes in the partially burnt fuel remaining within the reactor cores and in spent nuclear fuel stored in nearby cooling pools. The Double Chooz experiment at the Chooz B nuclear power plant in France achieved the first quantitative measurement of this residual flux based on 17.2 days of reactor-off data. In the energy range where the residual signal is most pronounced, the neutrino detector located 400$\,$m from the cores recorded $106 \pm 18$ neutrino candidate events (5.9$\sigma$ significance). This measurement is in excellent agreement with the predicted value of $88 \pm 7$ events derived from detailed reactor simulations modeling the decay activities of fission products and incorporating the best-available models of neutrino spectra.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Partition Pooling for Convolutional Graph Network Applications in Particle Physics

Convolutional graph networks are used in particle physics for effective event reconstructions and classifications. However, their performances can be limited by the considerable amount of sensors used in modern particle detectors if applied to sensor-level data. We present a pooling scheme that uses partitioning to create pooling kernels on graphs, similar to pooling on images. Partition pooling can be used to adopt successful image recognition architectures for graph neural network applications in particle physics. The reduced computational resources allow for deeper networks and more extensive hyperparameter optimizations. To show its applicability, we construct a convolutional graph network with partition pooling that reconstructs simulated interaction vertices for an idealized neutrino detector. The pooling network yields improved performance and is less susceptible to overfitting than a similar network without pooling. The lower resource requirements allow the construction of a deeper network with further improved performance.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Search for Signatures of Sterile Neutrinos with Double Chooz

We present a search for signatures of neutrino mixing of electron anti-neutrinos with additional hypothetical sterile neutrino flavors using the Double Chooz experiment. The search is based on data from 5 years of operation of Double Chooz, including 2 years in the two-detector configuration. The analysis is based on a profile likelihood, i.e.\ comparing the data to the model prediction of disappearance in a data-to-data comparison of the two respective detectors. The analysis is optimized for a model of three active and one sterile neutrino. It is sensitive in the typical mass range $5 \cdot 10^{-3} $ eV$^2 \lesssim Δm^2_{41} \lesssim 3\cdot 10^{-1} $ eV$^2$ for mixing angles down to $\sin^2 2θ_{14} \gtrsim 0.02$. No significant disappearance additionally to the conventional disappearance related to $θ_{13} $ is observed and correspondingly exclusion bounds on the sterile mixing parameter $θ_{14} $ as function of $ Δm^2_{41} $ are obtained.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Reactor Rate Modulation oscillation analysis with two detectors in Double Chooz

A $θ_{13}$ oscillation analysis based on the observed antineutrino rates at the Double Chooz far and near detectors for different reactor power conditions is presented. This approach provides a so far unique simultaneous determination of $θ_{13}$ and the total background rates without relying on any assumptions on the specific background contributions. The analysis comprises 865 days of data collected in both detectors with at least one reactor in operation. The oscillation results are enhanced by the use of 24.06 days (12.74 days) of reactor-off data in the far (near) detector. The analysis considers the \nue interactions up to a visible energy of 8.5 MeV, using the events at higher energies to build a cosmogenic background model considering fast-neutrons interactions and $^{9}$Li decays. The background-model-independent determination of the mixing angle yields sin$^2(2θ_{13})=0.094\pm0.017$, being the best-fit total background rates fully consistent with the cosmogenic background model. A second oscillation analysis is also performed constraining the total background rates to the cosmogenic background estimates. While the central value is not significantly modified due to the consistency between the reactor-off data and the background estimates, the addition of the background model reduces the uncertainty on $θ_{13}$ to 0.015. Along with the oscillation results, the normalization of the anti-neutrino rate is measured with a precision of 0.86\%, reducing the 1.43\% uncertainty associated to the expectation.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes as a Potential Veto Array for Neutrino Astronomy

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has revealed the existence of sources of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. However, identification of the sources is challenging because astrophysical neutrinos are difficult to separate from the background of atmospheric neutrinos produced in cosmic-ray-induced particle cascades in the atmosphere. The efficient detection of air showers in coincidence with detected neutrinos can greatly reduce those backgrounds and increase the sensitivity of neutrino telescopes. Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) are sensitive to gamma-ray-induced (and cosmic-ray-induced) air showers in the 50 GeV to 50 TeV range, and can therefore be used as background-identifiers for neutrino observatories. This paper describes the feasibility of an array of small scale, wide field-of-view, cost-effective IACTs as an air shower veto for neutrino astronomy. A surface array of 250 to 750 telescopes would significantly improve the performance of a cubic kilometer-scale detector like IceCube, at a cost of a few percent of the original investment. The number of telescopes in the array can be optimized based on astronomical and geometrical considerations.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

Search for a correlation between the UHECRs measured by the Pierre AugerObservatory and the Telescope Array and the neutrino candidate events fromIceCube and ANTARES

High-energy neutrinos are expected to be produced by the interaction of accelerated particles near the acceleration sites. For this reason, it is interesting to search for correlation in the arrival directions of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and HE neutrinos. We present here the results of a search for correlations between UHECR events measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory and Telescope Array and high-energy neutrino candidate events from IceCube and ANTARES. We perform a cross-correlation analysis, where the angular separation between the arrival directions of UHECRs and neutrinos is scanned. When comparing the results with the expectations from a null hypothesis contemplating an isotropic distribution of neutrinos or of UHECR we obtain post-trial p-values of the order of $\sim 10^{-2}$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Yields and production rates of cosmogenic $^9$Li and $^8$He measured with the Double Chooz near and far detectors

The yields and production rates of the radioisotopes $^9$Li and $^8$He created by cosmic muon spallation on $^{12}$C, have been measured by the two detectors of the Double Chooz experiment. The identical detectors are located at separate sites and depths, which means they are subject to different muon spectra. The near (far) detector has an overburden of $\sim$120 m.w.e. ($\sim$300 m.w.e.) corresponding to a mean muon energy of $32.1\pm2.0\,\mathrm{GeV}$ ($63.7\pm5.5\,\mathrm{GeV}$). Comparing the data to a detailed simulation of the $^9$Li and $^8$He decays, the contribution of the $^8$He radioisotope at both detectors is found to be compatible with zero. The observed $^9$Li yields in the near and far detectors are $5.51\pm0.51$ and $7.90\pm0.51$, respectively, in units of $10^{-8}μ^{-1} \mathrm{g^{-1} cm^{2} }$. The shallow overburdens of the near and far detectors give a unique insight when combined with measurements by KamLAND and Borexino to give the first multi--experiment, data driven relationship between the $^9$Li yield and the mean muon energy according to the power law $Y = Y_0( / 1\,\mathrm{GeV})^{\overlineα}$, giving $\overlineα=0.72\pm0.06$ and $Y_0=(0.43\pm0.11)\times 10^{-8}μ^{-1} \mathrm{g^{-1} cm^{2}}$. This relationship gives future liquid scintillator based experiments the ability to predict their cosmogenic $^9$Li background rates.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

A compact and light-weight refractive telescope for the observation of extensive air showers

A general purpose instrument for imaging of Cherenkov light or fluorescence light emitted by extensive air showers is presented. Its refractive optics allows for a compact and light-weight design with a wide field-of-view of 12°. The optical system features a 0.5 m diameter Fresnel lens and a camera with 61 pixels composed of Winston cones and large-sized 6x6 mm photo sensors. As photo sensors, semi conductor light sensors (SiPMs) are utilized. The camera provides a high photon detection efficiency together with robust operation. The enclosed optics permit operation in regions of harsh environmental conditions. The low price of the telescope allows the production of a large number of telescopes and the application of the instrument in various projects, such as FAMOUS for the Pierre Auger Observatory, HAWC's Eye for HAWC or IceAct for IceCube. In this paper the novel design of this telescope and first measurements are presented.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Novel event classification based on spectral analysis of scintillation waveforms in Double Chooz

Liquid scintillators are a common choice for neutrino physics experiments, but their capabilities to perform background rejection by scintillation pulse shape discrimination is generally limited in large detectors. This paper describes a novel approach for a pulse shape based event classification developed in the context of the Double Chooz reactor antineutrino experiment. Unlike previous implementations, this method uses the Fourier power spectra of the scintillation pulse shapes to obtain event-wise information. A classification variable built from spectral information was able to achieve an unprecedented performance, despite the lack of optimization at the detector design level. Several examples of event classification are provided, ranging from differentiation between the detector volumes and an efficient rejection of instrumental light noise, to some sensitivity to the particle type, such as stopping muons, ortho-positronium formation, alpha particles as well as electrons and positrons. In combination with other techniques the method is expected to allow for a versatile and more efficient background rejection in the future, especially if detector optimization is taken into account at the design level.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Acoustic properties of glacial ice for neutrino detection and the Enceladus Explorer

Ultra high energy neutrinos may be observed in ice by the emission of acoustic signals. The SPATS detector has investigated the possibility of observing GZK-neutrinos in the clear ice near the South Pole at the IceCube detector site. To explore other potential detection sites glacial ice in the Alps and in Antarctica has been surveyed for its acoustical properties. The purpose of the Enceladus Explorer (EnEx), on the other hand, is the search for extraterrestrial life on the Saturn moon Enceladus. Here acoustics is used to maneuver a subsurface probe inside the ice by trilateration of signals. A system of acoustic transducers has been developed to study both applications. In the south polar region of the moon Enceladus there are secluded crevasses. These are filled with liquid water, probably heated by tidal forces due to the short distance to Saturn. We intend to take a sample of water from these crevasses by using a combination of a melt down and steering probe called IceMole (IM). Maneuvering IM requires a good understanding of ice properties such as the speed of sound, the attenuation of acoustic signals in ice, their directional dependencies and their dependence on different frequencies. The technology developed for this positioning system could also contribute to the design of future large scale acoustic neutrino detectors. We present our analysis methods and the findings on attenuation, sound speed, and frequency response obtained at several sites in the Alps and Antarctica.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2012

The Trigger and Timing System of the Double Chooz Experiment

Modern precision neutrino experiments like Double Chooz require a highly efficient trigger system in order to reduce systematic uncertainties. The trigger and timing system of the Double Chooz experiment was designed according to this goal. The Double Chooz trigger system is driven by the basic idea of triggering on multiple thresholds according to the total visible energy and additionally triggering on the number of active photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) in the detector. To do so, the trigger system continuously monitors the analogue signals from all PMTs in the detector. The amplitudes of these PMT-signals are summed for groups of certain PMTs (group signals) and for all PMTs (sum signal), respectively. The group signals are discriminated by two thresholds for each input channel and four thresholds for the sum signal. The resulting signals are processed by the trigger logic unit which is implemented in a FPGA. In addition to the proper trigger, the trigger system provides a common clock signal for all subsequent data acquisition systems to guarantee a synchronous readout of the Double Chooz detectors. The present design of the system provides a high flexibility for the applied logic and settings, making it useful for experiments other than Double Chooz. The Double Chooz trigger and timing system was installed and commissioned in 2011. This article describes the hardware of the trigger and timing system. Furthermore the setup, implemented trigger logic and performance of the trigger and timing system for the Double Chooz experiment is presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2011

Qualification Tests of 474 Photomultiplier Tubes for the Inner Detector of the Double Chooz Experiment

The hemispherical 10" photomultiplier tube (PMT) R7081 from Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (HPK) is used in various experiments in particle and astroparticle physics. We describe the test and calibration of 474 PMTs for the reactor antineutrino experiment Double Chooz. The unique test setup at Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik Heidelberg (MPIK) allows one to calibrate 30 PMTs simultaneously and to characterize the single photo electron response, transit time spread, linear behaviour and saturation effects, photon detection efficiency and high voltage calibration.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2010

Large-angle production of charged pions with incident pion beams on nuclear targets

Measurements of the double-differential pi+/- production cross-section in the range of momentum 100 MeV/c <= p <= 800 MeV/c and angle 0.35 rad <= theta <= 2.15 rad using pi+/- beams incident on beryllium, aluminium, carbon, copper, tin, tantalum and lead targets are presented. The data were taken with the large acceptance HARP detector in the T9 beam line of the CERN Proton Synchrotron. The secondary pions were produced by beams in a momentum range from 3 GeV/c to 12.9 GeV/c hitting a solid target with a thickness of 5% of a nuclear interaction length. The tracking and identification of the produced particles was performed using a small-radius cylindrical time projection chamber (TPC) placed inside a solenoidal magnet. Incident particles were identified by an elaborate system of beam detectors. Results are obtained for the double-differential cross-sections d2sigma/dpdtheta at six incident beam momenta. Data at 3 GeV/c, 5 GeV/c, 8 GeV/c, and 12 GeV/c are available for all targets while additional data at 8.9 GeV/c and 12.9 GeV/c were taken in positive particle beams on Be and Al targets, respectively. The measurements are compared with several generators of GEANT4 and the MARS Monte Carlo simulation.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2009

Comparison of large-angle production of charged pions with incident protons on cylindrical long and short targets

The HARP collaboration has presented measurements of the double-differential pi+/pi- production cross-section in the range of momentum 100 MeV/c <= p 800 MeV/c and angle 0.35 rad <= theta <= 2.15 rad with proton beams hitting thin nuclear targets. In many applications the extrapolation to long targets is necessary. In this paper the analysis of data taken with long (one interaction length) solid cylindrical targets made of carbon, tantalum and lead is presented. The data were taken with the large acceptance HARP detector in the T9 beam line of the CERN PS. The secondary pions were produced by beams of protons with momenta 5 GeV/c, 8 GeV/c and 12 GeV/c. The tracking and identification of the produced particles were performed using a small-radius cylindrical time projection chamber (TPC) placed inside a solenoidal magnet. Incident protons were identified by an elaborate system of beam detectors. Results are obtained for the double-differential yields per target nucleon d2 sigma / dp dtheta. The measurements are compared with predictions of the MARS and GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

The Time Response of Glass Resistive Plate Chambers to Heavily Ionizing Particles

The HARP system of resistive plate chambers (RPCs) was designed to perform particle identification by the measurement of the difference in the time-of-flight of different particles. In previous papers an apparent discrepancy was shown between the response of the RPCs to minimum ionizing pions and heavily ionizing protons. Using the kinematics of elastic scattering off a hydrogen target a controlled beam of low momentum recoil protons was directed onto the chambers. With this method the trajectory and momentum, and hence the time-of-flight of the protons can be precisely predicted without need for a measurement of momentum of the protons. It is demonstrated that the measurement of the time-of-arrival of particles by the thin gas-gap glass RPC system of the HARP experiment depends on the primary ionization deposited by the particle in the detector.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv1996

Analog Optical Transmission of Fast Photomultiplier Pulses Over Distances of 2 km

New LED-transmitters have been used to develop a new method of fast analog transmission of PMT pulses over large distances. The transmitters, consisting basically of InGaAsP LEDs with the maximum emission of light at 1300 nm, allow the transmission of fast photomultiplier pulses over distances of more than 2 km. The shape of the photomultiplier pulses is maintained, with an attenuation less than 1 dB/km. Typical applications of analog optical signal transmission are surface air shower detectors and underwater/ice neutrino experiments, which measure fast Cherenkov or scintillator pulses at large detector distances to the central DAQ system.

astro-ph↗