arXiv subjects

E. Iwai

Publications and source records attributed to E. Iwai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

First results from the search for an excess of $\barν_{e}$ events in JSNS$^2$

The JSNS$^2$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at the J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment at the Material and Life Science Facility (MLF) of J-PARC is designed to directly test an excess on $\barν_{e}$ events which was indicated by LSND (Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector). The combination of a short-pulsed proton beam and a gadolinium-loaded liquid scintillator provides an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. In this article, we report the first results of a direct test based on data collected in 2022. After applying all event selection criteria, two events are observed, consistent with the expected background of 2.3$\pm$0.4 events. No excess of $\barν_e$ events are seen in this report, however the expected number of events due to LSND anomaly is 1.1$\pm$0.5, thus this result is not yet conclusive. Data taking has been ongoing since 2021 and will continue in future runs. In addition, a new far detector has recently been constructed for the second phase experiment, JSNS$^2$-II, marking an important milestone toward forthcoming measurements.

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arXiv2025

First Measurement of Missing Energy Due to Nuclear Effects in Monoenergetic Neutrino Charged Current Interactions

We present the first measurement of the missing energy due to nuclear effects in monoenergetic, muon neutrino charged-current interactions on carbon, originating from $K^+ \rightarrow μ^+ ν_μ$ decay at rest ($E_{ν_μ}=235.5$ MeV), performed with the J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at the J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source liquid scintillator based experiment. Toward characterizing the neutrino interaction, ostensibly $ν_μn \rightarrow μ^- p$ or $ν_μ$$^{12}\mathrm{C}$ $\rightarrow μ^-$$^{12}\mathrm{N}$, we define the missing energy as the energy transferred to the nucleus ($ω$) minus the kinetic energy of the outgoing proton(s), $E_{m} \equivω-\sum T_p$, and relate this to visible energy in the detector, $E_{m}=E_{ν_μ} (235.5 \mathrm{MeV})-m_μ(105.7 \mathrm{MeV}) + [m_n-m_p (1.3 \mathrm{MeV})] - E_{\mathrm{vis}}$. The missing energy, which is naively expected to be zero in the absence of nuclear effects (e.g. nucleon separation energy, Fermi momenta, and final-state interactions), is uniquely sensitive to many aspects of the interaction, and has previously been inaccessible with neutrinos. The shape-only, differential cross section measurement reported, based on a $(77\pm3)$% pure double-coincidence kaon decay-at-rest signal (621 total events), provides detailed insight into neutrino-nucleus interactions, allowing even the nuclear orbital shell of the struck nucleon to be inferred. The measurement provides an important benchmark for models and event generators at hundreds of MeV neutrino energies, characterized by the difficult-to-model transition region between neutrino-nucleus and neutrino-nucleon scattering, and relevant for applications in nuclear physics, neutrino oscillation measurements,and Type-II supernova studies.

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arXiv2022

Measurement of the ($π^-$, Ar) total hadronic cross section at the LArIAT experiment

We present the first measurement of the negative pion total hadronic cross section on argon, which we performed at the Liquid Argon In A Testbeam (LArIAT) experiment. All hadronic reaction channels, as well as hadronic elastic interactions with scattering angle greater than 5~degrees are included. The pions have a kinetic energies in the range 100-700~MeV and are produced by a beam of charged particles impinging on a solid target at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility. LArIAT employs a 0.24~ton active mass Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) to measure the pion hadronic interactions. For this measurement, LArIAT has developed the ``thin slice method", a new technique to measure cross sections with LArTPCs. While generally higher than the prediction, our measurement of the ($π^-$,Ar) total hadronic cross section is in agreement with the prediction of the Geant4 model when considering a model uncertainty of $\sim$5.1\%.

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arXiv2020

The Liquid Argon In A Testbeam (LArIAT) Experiment

The LArIAT liquid argon time projection chamber, placed in a tertiary beam of charged particles at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility, has collected large samples of pions, muons, electrons, protons, and kaons in the momentum range 300-1400 MeV/c. This paper describes the main aspects of the detector and beamline, and also reports on calibrations performed for the detector and beamline components.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Calorimetry for low-energy electrons using charge and light in liquid argon

Precise calorimetric reconstruction of 5-50 MeV electrons in liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) will enable the study of astrophysical neutrinos in DUNE and could enhance the physics reach of oscillation analyses. Liquid argon scintillation light has the potential to improve energy reconstruction for low-energy electrons over charge-based measurements alone. Here we demonstrate light-augmented calorimetry for low-energy electrons in a single-phase LArTPC using a sample of Michel electrons from decays of stopping cosmic muons in the LArIAT experiment at Fermilab. Michel electron energy spectra are reconstructed using both a traditional charge-based approach as well as a more holistic approach that incorporates both charge and light. A maximum-likelihood fitter, using LArIAT's well-tuned simulation, is developed for combining these quantities to achieve optimal energy resolution. A sample of isolated electrons is simulated to better determine the energy resolution expected for astrophysical electron-neutrino charged-current interaction final states. In LArIAT, which has very low wire noise and an average light yield of 18 pe/MeV, an energy resolution of $σ/E \simeq 9.3\%/\sqrt{E} \oplus 1.3\%$ is achieved. Samples are then generated with varying wire noise levels and light yields to gauge the impact of light-augmented calorimetry in larger LArTPCs. At a charge-readout signal-to-noise of S/N $\simeq$ 30, for example, the energy resolution for electrons below 40 MeV is improved by $\approx$ 10%, $\approx$ 20%, and $\approx$ 40% over charge-only calorimetry for average light yields of 10 pe/MeV, 20 pe/MeV, and 100 pe/MeV, respectively.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

First measurement of the $ν_μ$ charged-current cross section without pions in the final state on a water target

This paper reports the first differential measurement of the charged-current interaction cross section of $ν_μ$ on water with no pions in the final state. This flux-averaged measurement has been made using the T2K experiment's off-axis near detector, and is reported in doubly-differential bins of muon momentum and angle. The flux-averaged total cross section in a restricted region of phase space was found to be $ σ= (0.95 \pm 0.08 (\mbox{stat}) \pm 0.06 (\mbox{det. syst.}) \pm 0.04(\mbox{model syst.}) \pm{} 0.08(\mbox{flux}) ) \times 10^{-38} \mbox{cm}^2$ per n.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2017

Measurement of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations by the T2K experiment including a new additional sample of $ν_e$ interactions at the far detector

The T2K experiment reports an updated analysis of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations in appearance and disappearance channels. A sample of electron neutrino candidates at Super-Kamiokande in which a pion decay has been tagged is added to the four single-ring samples used in previous T2K oscillation analyses. Through combined analyses of these five samples, simultaneous measurements of four oscillation parameters, $|Δm^2_{32}|$, $\sin^2(θ_{23})$, $\sin^2(θ_{13})$, and $δ_{CP}$ and of the mass ordering are made. A set of studies of simulated data indicates that the sensitivity to the oscillation parameters is not limited by neutrino interaction model uncertainty. Multiple oscillation analyses are performed, and frequentist and Bayesian intervals are presented for combinations of the oscillation parameters with and without the inclusion of reactor constraints on $\sin^2(θ_{13})$. When combined with reactor measurements, the hypothesis of CP conservation ($δ_{CP}$$=0$ or $π$) is excluded at 90% confidence level. The 90% confidence region for $δ_{CP}$ is [-2.95,-0.44] ([-1.47, -1.27]) for normal (inverted) ordering. The central values and 68\% confidence intervals for the other oscillation parameters for normal (inverted) ordering are $Δm^{2}_{32}=2.54\pm0.08$ ($2.51\pm0.08$) $\times 10^{-3}$ eV$^2 / c^4$ and $\sin^2(θ_{23}) = 0.55^{+0.05}_{-0.09}$ ($0.55^{+0.05}_{-0.08}$), compatible with maximal mixing. In the Bayesian analysis, the data weakly prefer normal ordering (Bayes factor 3.7) and the upper octant for $\sin^2(θ_{23})$ (Bayes factor 2.4).

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arXiv2017

Updated T2K measurements of muon neutrino and antineutrino disappearance using 1.5e21 protons on target

We report measurements by the T2K experiment of the parameters $θ_{23}$ and $Δm^{2}_{32}$ governing the disappearance of muon neutrinos and antineutrinos in the three flavor neutrino oscillation model. Utilizing the ability of the experiment to run with either a mainly neutrino or a mainly antineutrino beam, the parameters are measured separately for neutrinos and antineutrinos. Using $7.482 \times 10^{20}$ POT in neutrino running mode and $7.471 \times 10^{20}$ POT in antineutrino mode, T2K obtained, $\sin^{2}(θ_{23})=0.51^{+0.08}_{-0.07}$ and $Δm^{2}_{32} = 2.53^{+0.15}_{-0.13} \times 10^{-3}$eV$^{2}$/c$^{4}$ for neutrinos, and $\sin^{2}({\overlineθ}_{23})=0.42^{+0.25}_{-0.07}$ and ${Δ\overline{m}^2}_{32} = 2.55^{+0.33}_{-0.27} \times 10^{-3}$eV$^{2}$/c$^{4}$ for antineutrinos (assuming normal mass ordering). No significant differences between the values of the parameters describing the disappearance of muon neutrinos and antineutrinos were observed.

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arXiv2017

Measurement of $\barν_μ$ and $ν_μ$ charged current inclusive cross sections and their ratio with the T2K off-axis near detector

We report a measurement of cross section $σ(ν_μ+{\rm nucleus}\rightarrowμ^{-}+X)$ and the first measurements of the cross section $σ(\barν_μ+{\rm nucleus}\rightarrowμ^{+}+X)$ and their ratio $R(\frac{σ(\bar ν)}{σ(ν)})$ at (anti-)neutrino energies below 1.5 GeV. We determine the single momentum bin cross section measurements, averaged over the T2K $\barν/ν$-flux, for the detector target material (mainly Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen and Copper) with phase space restricted laboratory frame kinematics of $θ_μ<32^\circ$ and $p_μ>$500 MeV/c. The results are $σ(\barν)=\left( 0.900\pm0.029{\rm (stat.)}\pm0.088{\rm (syst.)}\right)\times10^{-39}$ and $σ(ν)=\left( 2.41\ \pm0.022{\rm{(stat.)}}\pm0.231{\rm (syst.)}\ \right)\times10^{-39}$ in units of cm$^{2}$/nucleon and $R\left(\frac{σ(\barν)}{σ(ν)}\right)= 0.373\pm0.012{\rm (stat.)}\pm0.015{\rm (syst.)}$.

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arXiv2017

Technical Design Report (TDR): Searching for a Sterile Neutrino at J-PARC MLF (E56, JSNS2)

In this document, the technical details of the JSNS$^2$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment are described. The search for sterile neutrinos is currently one of the hottest topics in neutrino physics. The JSNS$^2$ experiment aims to search for the existence of neutrino oscillations with $Δm^2$ near 1 eV$^2$ at the J-PARC Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF). A 1 MW beam of 3 GeV protons incident on a spallation neutron target produces an intense neutrino beam from muon decay at rest. Neutrinos come predominantly from $μ^+$ decay: $μ^{+} \to e^{+} + \barν_μ + ν_{e}$. The experiment will search for $\barν_μ$ to $\barν_{e}$ oscillations which are detected by the inverse beta decay interaction $\barν_{e} + p \to e^{+} + n$, followed by gammas from neutron capture on Gd. The detector has a fiducial volume of 17 tons and is located 24 meters away from the mercury target. JSNS$^2$ offers the ultimate direct test of the LSND anomaly. In addition to the sterile neutrino search, the physics program includes cross section measurements with neutrinos with a few 10's of MeV from muon decay at rest and with monochromatic 236 MeV neutrinos from kaon decay at rest. These cross sections are relevant for our understanding of supernova explosions and nuclear physics.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

First combined analysis of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations at T2K

T2K reports its first results in the search for CP violation in neutrino oscillations using appearance and disappearance channels for neutrino- and antineutrino-mode beam. The data include all runs from Jan 2010 to May 2016 and comprise $7.482\times10^{20}$,protons on target in neutrino mode, which yielded in the far detector 32 e-like and 135 $μ$-like events, and $7.471\times10^{20}$,protons on target in antineutrino mode which yielded 4 e-like and 66 $μ$-like events. Reactor measurements of $\sin^{2}2θ_{13}$ have been used as an additional constraint. The one-dimensional confidence interval at 90% for $δ_{CP}$ spans the range ($-3.13$, $-0.39$) for normal mass ordering. The CP conservation hypothesis ($δ_{CP}=0,π$) is excluded at 90% C.L.

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arXiv2016

A new search for the $K_{L} \to π^0 ν\overlineν$ and $K_{L} \to π^{0} X^{0}$ decays

We searched for the $CP$-violating rare decay of neutral kaon, $K_{L} \to π^0 ν\overlineν$, in data from the first 100 hours of physics running in 2013 of the J-PARC KOTO experiment. One candidate event was observed while $0.34\pm0.16$ background events were expected. We set an upper limit of $5.1\times10^{-8}$ for the branching fraction at the 90\% confidence level (C.L.). An upper limit of $3.7\times10^{-8}$ at the 90\% C.L. for the $K_{L} \to π^{0} X^{0}$decay was also set for the first time, where $X^{0}$ is an invisible particle with a mass of 135 MeV/$c^{2}$.

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arXiv2016

Status Report (22th J-PARC PAC): Searching for a Sterile Neutrino at J-PARC MLF (E56, JSNS2)

The JSNS$^2$ (J-PARC E56) experiment aims to search for a sterile neutrino at the J-PARC Materials and Life Sciences Experimental Facility (MLF). After the submission of a proposal to the J-PARC PAC, Stage-1 approval was granted to the JSNS$^2$ experiment on April 2015.This approval followed a series of background measurements which were performed in 2014. Recently, funding (the grant-in-aid for scientific research (S)) in Japan for building one 25~ton fiducial volume detector module was approved for the experiment. Therefore, we aim to start the experiment with one detector in JFY2018-2019. We are now working to produce precise cost estimates and schedule for construction, noting that most of the detector components can be produced within one year from the date of order. This will be reported at the next PAC meeting. In parallel to the detector construction schedule, JSNS$^2$ will submit a Technical Design report (TDR) to obtain the Stage-2 approval from the J-PARC PAC.The recent progress of the R$\&$D efforts towards this TDR are shown in this report. In particular, the R$\&$D status of the liquid scintillator, cosmic ray veto system, and software are shown. We have performed a test-experiment using 1.6~L of liquid scintillator at the 3rd floor of the MLF building in order to determine the identities of non-neutrino background particles coming to this detector location during the proton bunch. This is the so-called "MLF 2015AU0001" experiment. We briefly show preliminary results from this test-experiment.

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arXiv2016

Sensitivity of the T2K accelerator-based neutrino experiment with an Extended run to $20\times10^{21}$ POT

Recent measurements at the T2K experiment indicate that CP violation in neutrino mixing may be observed in the future by long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments. We explore the physics program of an extension to the currently approved T2K running of $7.8\times 10^{21}$ protons-on-target to $20\times 10^{21}$ protons-on-target,aiming at initial observation of CP violation with 3$\,σ$ or higher significance for the case of maximum CP violation. With accelerator and beam line upgrades, as well as analysis improvements, this program would occur before the next generation of long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments that are expected to start operation in 2026.

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arXiv2016

Long-lived neutral-kaon flux measurement for the KOTO experiment

The KOTO ($K^0$ at Tokai) experiment aims to observe the CP-violating rare decay $K_L \rightarrow π^0 ν\barν$ by using a long-lived neutral-kaon beam produced by the 30 GeV proton beam at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. The $K_L$ flux is an essential parameter for the measurement of the branching fraction. Three $K_L$ neutral decay modes, $K_L \rightarrow 3π^0$, $K_L \rightarrow 2π^0$, and $K_L \rightarrow 2γ$ were used to measure the $K_L$ flux in the beam line in the 2013 KOTO engineering run. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the detector acceptance for these decays. Agreement was found between the simulation model and the experimental data, and the remaining systematic uncertainty was estimated at the 1.4\% level. The $K_L$ flux was measured as $(4.183 \pm 0.017_{\mathrm{stat.}} \pm 0.059_{\mathrm{sys.}}) \times 10^7$ $K_L$ per $2\times 10^{14}$ protons on a 66-mm-long Au target.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Status Report for the 21th J-PARC PAC : Searching for a Sterile Neutrino at J-PARC MLF (J-PARC E56, JSNS2)

The JSNS2 (J-PARC E56) experiment aims to search for sterile neutrinos at the J-PARC Materials and Life Sciences Experimental Facility (MLF).After the submission of a proposal to the J-PARC PAC, stage-1 approval was granted to the JSNS2 experiment. The approval followed a series of background measurements which were performed in 2014. Subsequent for stage-1 approval, the JSNS2 collaboration has made continuous efforts to write a Technical Design Report (TDR).This TDR will include two major items as discussed in the previous status report for the 20th J-PARC PAC: (1) A realistic detector location (2) Well understood and realistic detector performance using simulation studies, primarily in consideration of fast neutron rejection. Since August we have been in discussions with MLF staff regarding an appropriate detector location. We are also in the process of setting up a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation framework in order to study detector's performance in realistic conditions. In addition, we have pursued hardware R&D work for the liquid scintillator (LS) and to improve the dynamic range of the 10" photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The LS R&D works includes Cherenkov studies inside the LS, and a Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) study with a test-beam, performed at Tohoku University. We also estimate the PSD performance of a full-sized detector using a detailed MC simulation. In this status report, we describe progress on this work.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Measurement of the muon neutrino inclusive charged-current cross section in the energy range of 1-3 GeV with the T2K INGRID detector

We report a measurement of the $ν_μ$-nucleus inclusive charged current cross section (=$σ^{cc}$) on iron using data from exposed to the J-PARC neutrino beam. The detector consists of 14 modules in total, which are spread over a range of off-axis angles from 0$^\circ$ to 1.1$^\circ$. The variation in the neutrino energy spectrum as a function of the off-axis angle, combined with event topology information, is used to calculate this cross section as a function of neutrino energy. The cross section is measured to be $σ^{cc}(1.1\text{ GeV}) = 1.10 \pm 0.15$ $(10^{-38}\text{cm}^2/\text{nucleon})$, $σ^{cc}(2.0\text{ GeV}) = 2.07 \pm 0.27$ $(10^{-38}\text{cm}^2/\text{nucleon})$, and $σ^{cc}(3.3\text{ GeV}) = 2.29 \pm 0.45$ $(10^{-38}\text{cm}^2/\text{nucleon})$, at energies of 1.1, 2.0, and 3.3 GeV, respectively. These results are consistent with the cross section calculated by the neutrino interaction generators currently used by T2K. More importantly, the method described here opens up a new way to determine the energy dependence of neutrino-nucleus cross sections.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2015

Status Report for the 20th J-PARC PAC : A Search for Sterile Neutrino at J-PARC MLF (J-PARC E56, JSNS2)

On April 2015, the J-PARC E56 (JSNS2: J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search using neutrinos from J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment officially obtained stage-1 approval from J-PARC. We have since started to perform liquid scintillator R&D for improving energy resolution and fast neutron rejection. Also, we are studying Avalanche Photo-Diodes (SiPM) inside the liquid scintillator. In addition to the R&D work, a background measurement for the proton beam bunch timing using a small liquid scintillator volume was planned, and the safety discussions for the measurement have been done. This report describes the status of the R&D work and the background measurements, in addition to the milestones required before stage-2 approval.

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