arXiv subjects

F. Cavanna

Publications and source records attributed to F. Cavanna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Toward High-Resolution Detection of Target Fragmentation: TEA-Sensitized NIT for Proton Therapy Applications

Nano Imaging Trackers (NIT) are fine-grained nuclear emulsions capable of tracking charged particles with sub-micrometric spatial resolution. The DAMON (Direct Measurement of Target Fragmentation) experiment recently employed NIT to detect target-fragmentation events relevant to proton therapy in direct kinematics. These measurements showed that the small crystal size, while providing high spatial resolution, limits the reconstruction efficiency for primary proton tracks and high-energy secondary protons. This work reports an enhancement of NIT sensitivity achieved through alternative chemical sensitization methods, namely gold-plus-sulfur (Au-S) and triethanolamine (TEA), together with the use of the GR-1 developer. The detector response was evaluated with gamma-ray, carbon-ion and proton exposures, including clinically relevant proton energies.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Production and installation of wavelength-shifting reflective light enhancers for the Short-Baseline Near Detector

We report on the design, production, and installation of a wavelength-shifting reflective system on the cathode of the Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND), a liquid argon time projection chamber located along the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam. To increase and homogenize scintillation-light collection, 64 double-sided plates were fabricated from FR4, laminated with specular reflector film and coated with 300 $\mu$g/cm$^2$ of tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB) wavelength shifter using controlled physical vapor deposition. The coating uniformity was validated through dedicated measurements of deposited mass and profilometry studies. Because exposure to ambient blue/UV light could degrade the TPB, protective filtering and controlled storage conditions were implemented during handling and installation. The coated plates were assembled between conductive meshes for high-voltage compatibility and installed in situ during detector integration. This system constitutes the largest TPB-coated area deployed in a neutrino detector. It operates in conjunction with SBND's photon detection system, which consists of photomultiplier tubes and X-ARAPUCAs. Early light-collection measurements show high uniformity and light response across the detector, supporting improved triggering, calorimetry, and position reconstruction in SBND.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Probing Nuclear Effects with Transverse Kinematic Imbalance in Muon-neutrino Induced Charged-Current $\pi^0$ Production on Argon with the MicroBooNE Detector

Neutrino-nucleus cross-section measurements are needed to improve interaction modeling and to enable precision neutrino oscillation measurements in upcoming experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Hyper-Kamiokande, and the Short-Baseline Neutrino program. Baryon-resonance neutrino interactions constitute a dominant contribution near the peak of the DUNE neutrino energy spectrum. We present the first measurement of muon neutrino charged-current resonance-like interactions on argon using transverse kinematic imbalance variables with the MicroBooNE detector. These observables are highly sensitive to the modeling of final-state interactions. This measurement probes kinematic imbalances using the reconstructed momenta of the muon, leading proton, and neutral pion. A comprehensive characterization of the $\pi^0$-proton final state is presented; however, none of the models considered are able to simultaneously reproduce all measured observables.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

First Measurement of Sub-GeV $\nu_{\mu}$ Charged-Current Coherent Pion Production on Argon in MicroBooNE

We report a measurement of the charged-current coherent pion production cross section on argon using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber exposed to the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab. The measurement uses the MicroBooNE data set corresponding to $1.26 \times 10^{21}$ protons on target with a mean neutrino energy of $0.8$~GeV. The flux-averaged cross section is measured to be $(9.1 \pm 1.2_{\text{stat}} \pm 1.2_\text{syst}) \times 10^{-40}\,\text{cm}^2/\text{Ar}$. This result represents the first measurement of charged-current coherent pion production on argon at sub-GeV neutrino energies. Due to its clean two-body kinematics, where the neutrino interacts coherently with the entire nucleus producing a forward muon and pion with no nuclear breakup, this process provides a useful tool for constraining neutrino flux uncertainties in current and future oscillation experiments such as DUNE.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Characterizing the energy resolution of the MicroBooNE LArTPC at the MeV scale using monoenergetic features of $^{208}$Tl decays

A detailed understanding of the capabilities and fidelity of low-energy reconstruction is crucial for taking advantage of MeV-scale neutrino physics opportunities in liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs). This study presents a measurement of the resolution of reconstructed energy in the MicroBooNE LArTPC at $\approx 1.5$ MeV. The characterization is performed using monoenergetic signals generated by $2.614$ MeV $\gamma$-rays from $^{208}$Tl decays undergoing pair production in the detector. The resolution is found to be ($7.52 \pm 0.78 \text{(stat)} \pm 0.92 \text{(syst)}$)%. This value is consistent with the MicroBooNE simulation prediction of ($9.70 \pm 0.65 \text{(stat)}$)% at the $1.6 \sigma$ level. This study represents the first ever measurement of LArTPC energy resolution at the MeV scale and provides a pathway for monoenergetic energy calibrations in future experiments using LArTPC detectors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Improved muon energy estimation using a detailed model of multiple Coulomb scattering in the MicroBooNE LArTPC

We present an improved technique for estimating a muon's energy by measuring the deflections along its path inside the MicroBooNE detector from multiple Coulomb scattering (MCS). This approach implements several innovations that better capture detector non-idealizations compared to previous MCS-based muon energy estimators. As a result, it achieves improved resolution, reduced bias, and better data-model agreement. Using model simulation, for fully contained events the estimated bias is within 1% and the estimated resolution varies from 4.3% to 10% as muon energy increases from 0.1 GeV to 2 GeV. For events with particles exiting the detector volume, at least a meter of reconstructed muon track, and a muon energy below 2 GeV, the estimated bias is less than 2% and the estimated resolution varies from 7% to 17% over muon energy. These demonstrate significant improvements over the performance of previous work using an MCS-based energy estimator at MicroBooNE, which achieves twice as large a resolution as well as a bias of 20% over the same energy region. Data-model goodness-of-fit studies are used to validate the estimator's performance on data, showing good agreement within model uncertainties.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Scintillation light calibrations, systematic uncertainties, and triggering efficiency in the MicroBooNE detector

Scintillation light, produced alongside ionisation charge from particle interactions, plays a critical role in liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) detectors. A detailed understanding of its production and detection mechanisms is essential for robust calibration, systematic uncertainty evaluation, and physics analysis. This article describes the MicroBooNE light simulation, light-based triggering schemes, photomultiplier tube gain calibration, light response stability, and light-based systematic uncertainties over the course of five years of data collection. In addition, we present a measurement of scintillation light triggering efficiency, focusing on the lowest-light regime relevant to rare-event searches and low-energy neutrino interactions. Finally, we discuss two notable observations in MicroBooNE's data, both reported here for the first time: an approximately 50% decline in MicroBooNE's light yield over time, concentrated in the first two years of running; and a higher than expected O(200 kHz) rate of single photoelectron noise. The results presented provide an important benchmark of long-term light detection performance in LArTPC neutrino detectors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Measurements of the electron neutrino-argon differential cross section without pions in the final state in MicroBooNE

We present a new measurement of the electron neutrino charged current cross section on argon without pions in the final state. This measurement uses the full MicroBooNE booster neutrino beam dataset of $1.3\times 10^{21}$ protons on target collected at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Events are considered both with and without protons above the kinetic energy visibility threshold. Differential cross sections are extracted in proton and electron kinematics, including energy and angle relative to the neutrino beam direction. The relationship between the hadronic and leptonic systems is explored through the angle between the proton and electron directions. The resulting cross sections are compared to a variety of available generator predictions using different models of neutrino interactions. We find good agreement with most models in lepton kinematics and some discrepancies in the hadronic system modeling, particularly in proton angle.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Demonstration and performance of an online data selection algorithm for liquid argon time projection chambers using MicroBooNE

The MicroBooNE detector is a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) that produces three-dimensional images of particle interactions using ionization charge collected by anode wire plane arrays and scintillation light collected by a light detection system. In addition to testing long-standing experimental neutrino anomalies and performing measurements of neutrino interactions with argon nuclei using the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam, MicroBooNE aims to develop methodologies for rare beyond the Standard Model and off-beam physics searches. Looking ahead to the upcoming Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), with MicroBooNE serving as a valuable testbed, achieving high sensitivity and livetime for off-beam physics while satisfying data processing and storage constraints will require data-driven, intelligent, and online or real-time data selection techniques. These techniques are essential for reducing data rates and preserving rare signals with high accuracy. In this paper, we describe a fast data selection algorithm suitable for online execution to identify electrons from stopping cosmic ray muons in the MicroBooNE detector utilizing ionization charge information, and present its performance. This represents the first demonstration of online data selection in a LArTPC using real data and charge information exclusively and provides an important proof-of-principle for applying such techniques to other LArTPC experiments such as the Short-Baseline Near Detector and DUNE.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Detector characterization for a new $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C reaction study at LUNA

The $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C fusion reaction plays a crucial role in stellar evolution, including the occurrence of supernova explosions, and in the synthesis of the chemical elements. However, our understanding of its cross section remains severely deficient, particularly below $E_\textrm{cm}=2.5$\,MeV, the energy range of interest for astrophysics. To address these unresolved issues, the LUNA collaboration will conduct a dedicated study of the $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C reaction at the Bellotti Ion Beam Facility (Bellotti IBF) located deep underground within the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy. Based on the combination of passive and active shields, this campaign aims to achieve unprecedented sensitivity in measuring the cross sections of the two key reaction channels, $^{12}$C($^{12}$C,$\alpha$)$^{20}$Ne and $^{12}$C($^{12}$C,$p$)$^{23}$Na in the low-energy regime via $\gamma$-ray detection. Here, we report on a sensitivity study for the upcoming campaign with a focus on the characterization of two detectors, namely a HPGe detector and a NaI(Tl) array. Furthermore, their intrinsic contamination is thoroughly investigated since this could potentially influence the overall sensitivity. Assuming typical beam intensities of the Bellotti IBF, we will be able to investigate reaction rates significantly below 100 counts per day. In case of the $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C reaction we therefore expect to acquire experimental data well below the current limit of $E_\textrm{cm}=2.1\,$MeV. The results are supported by simulations to highlight the advantageous low-background environment, essential for high-precision nuclear astrophysics studies.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Nuclear Physics Mid Term Plan at LNGS

The Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) is one of the largest underground physics laboratory, a very peculiar environment suited for experiments in Astroparticle Physics, Nuclear Physics and Fundamental Symmetries. The newly established Bellotti Ion Beam facility represents a major advance in the possibilities of studying nuclear processes in an underground environment. A workshop was organized at LNGS in the framework of the Nuclear Physics Mid Term Plan in Italy, an initiative of the Nuclear Physics Division of the Instituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare to discuss the opportunities that will be possible to study in the near future by employing state-of-the-art detection systems. In this report, a detailed discussion of the outcome of the workshop is presented.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Improved $S$-factor of the $^{13}$C(p,$\gamma$)$^{14}$N reaction at $E_{\mathrm{p}}\,=\,$330-740 keV and parameters of resonances at 448 keV and 551 keV

The $^{13}$C(p,$\gamma$)$^{14}$N reaction is the second reaction of the CNO cycle. This cycle takes place in our Sun and fuels massive, Red, and Asymptotic Giant Branch stars. The $^{13}$C(p,$\gamma$)$^{14}$N rate affects the final abundances of $^{12,13}$C and $^{19}$F nuclides, with impact on our understanding of the i- and s-process, giant star nucleosynthesis and mixing processes, and ultimately the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. Here, we report on a new measurement of the $^{13}$C(p,$\gamma$)$^{14}$N cross-section, which has been performed at the Felsenkeller shallow-underground laboratory in Dresden (Germany). The present $S$-factor results agree at low energy with LUNA data but are about 20% lower than previous literature data over the whole energy range explored, $E\,=\,$310-680 keV. The narrow resonance corresponding to the 7966.9(5) keV excited state has been investigated and we report a new resonance strength, $\omega \gamma\,=\,$18(2) meV. In addition a new R-matrix fit is presented, from which new parameters for the broad resonance corresponding to the 8062.0(10) keV excited state are derived and a new extrapolation for the total $S$-factor down to zero energy is obtained, $S_{\mathrm{tot}}$(0) = 6.4(4) keV b. Finally a new reaction rate is calculated and reported here.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Modeling Light Signals Using Data from the First Pulsed Neutron Source Program at the DUNE Vertical Drift ColdBox Test Facility at CERN Neutrino Platform

In this paper, we present a first quantitative test of detected light signals produced in a pulsed neutron source run in a small vertical drift LArTPC at the CERN neutrino platform ColdBox test facility. The ColdBox cryostat, detectors, neutron sources, and particle interactions are modeled and simulated using Fluka. A good agreement is found in the detected number of photoelectrons, with values below 650 photoelectrons in both data and simulation, for all four X-ARAPUCA photodetectors on the cathode in the LArTPC. A time constant is also fitted from the neutron-beam-off light signal spectrum and found consistent between data and MC. Several important systematic effects are discussed and serve as guides for future runs at larger LArTPCs.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Search for Light Sterile Neutrinos With Two Neutrino Beams at MicroBooNE

The existence of three distinct neutrino flavours, $\nu_{e}$, $\nu_{\mu}$, and $\nu_{\tau}$, is a central tenet of the Standard Model of particle physics. Quantum-mechanical interference can allow a neutrino of one initial flavour to be detected some time later as a different flavour, a process called neutrino oscillation. Several anomalous observations inconsistent with this three-flavour picture have motivated the hypothesis that an additional neutrino state exists which does not interact directly with matter, termed a "sterile" neutrino, $\nu_s$. This includes anomalous observations from the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments, consistent with $\nu_{\mu}\rightarrow\nu_{e}$ transitions at a distance inconsistent with the three-neutrino picture. Here, we use data obtained from the MicroBooNE liquid-argon time projection chamber in two accelerator neutrino beams to exclude the single light sterile neutrino interpretation of the LSND and MiniBooNE anomalies at the 95\% confidence level (CL). Additionally, we rule out a significant portion of the parameter space that could explain the gallium anomaly. This is the first measurement to use two accelerator neutrino beams to break a degeneracy between $\nu_{e}$ appearance and disappearance that would otherwise weaken the sensitivity to the sterile neutrino hypothesis. We find no evidence for either $\nu_{\mu}\rightarrow\nu_{e}$ flavour transitions or $\nu_{e}$ disappearance that would indicate non-standard flavour oscillations. Our results show that previous anomalous observations consistent with $\nu_{\mu}\rightarrow\nu_{e}$ transitions cannot be explained by introducing a single sterile neutrino state.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurements of differential charged-current cross sections on argon for electron neutrinos with final-state protons in MicroBooNE

This work presents single-differential electron-neutrino charged-current cross sections on argon measured using the MicroBooNE detector at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The analysis uses data recorded when the Neutrinos at the Main Injector beam was operating in both neutrino and antineutrino modes, with exposures of $2 \times 10^{20}$ and $5 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target, respectively. A selection algorithm targeting electron-neutrino charged-current interactions with at least one proton, one electron, and no pions in the final topology is used to measure differential cross sections as a function of outgoing electron energy, total visible energy, and opening angle between the electron and the most energetic proton. The interaction rate as a function of proton multiplicity is also reported. The total cross section is measured as [4.1 $\pm$ 0.3 (stat.) $\pm$ 1.1 (syst.)]$ $$\times 10^{-39} \mathrm{cm}^{2}/ \mathrm{nucleon}$. The unfolded cross-section measurements are compared to predictions from neutrino event generators commonly employed in the field. Good agreement is seen across all variables within uncertainties.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Towards a comprehensive study of the 14N(p,g)15O astrophysical key reaction: Description of the experimental technique including novel target preparation

While the 14N(p,g)15O reaction plays a key role in the hydrogen-burning processes in various stellar conditions, its reaction rate is not known with sufficient precision. Therefore, the first scientific project at the recently launched Bellotti Ion Beam Facility of the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso was the measurement of the 14N(p,g)15O reaction cross section in the proton energy range between 250 and 1500 keV. In this paper, the experimental techniques are summarized with special emphasis on the description of solid state nitrogen target production and characterization. The first results of the reaction yield measured at 55 deg detection angle are also presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of single charged pion production in charged-current $\nu_\mu$-Ar interactions with the MicroBooNE detector

We present flux-averaged charged-current $\nu_\mu$ cross-section measurements on argon for final states containing exactly one $\pi^\pm$ and no other hadrons except nucleons. The analysis uses data from the MicroBooNE experiment in the Booster Neutrino Beam, corresponding to $1.11 \times 10^{21}$ protons on target. Total and single-differential cross-section measurements are provided within a phase space restricted to muon momenta above 150 MeV, pion momenta above 100 MeV, and muon-pion opening angles smaller than 2.65 rad. Differential cross sections are reported with respect to the scattering angles of the muon and pion relative to the beam direction, their momenta, and their combined opening angle. The differential cross section with respect to muon momentum is based on a subset of selected events with the muon track fully contained in the detector, whereas the cross section with respect to pion momentum is based on a subset of selected events rich in pions that have not hadronically scattered on the argon before coming to rest. The latter has not been measured on argon before. The total cross section is measured as $(3.75~\pm~0.07~\textrm{(stat.)}~\pm~0.80~\textrm{(syst.)}) \times 10^{-38} \, \text{cm}^2/\text{Ar}$ at a mean energy of approximately 0.8 GeV. Comparisons of the measured cross sections with predictions from multiple neutrino-nucleus interaction generators show good overall agreement, except at very forward muon angles.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Sampling Off-Axis Neutrino Fluxes with the Short-Baseline Near Detector

The Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND), the near detector in the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, is located just 110 m from the Booster Neutrino Beam target. Thanks to this close proximity, relative to its 4 m $\times$ 4 m front face, neutrinos enter SBND over a range of angles from $0^{\circ}$ to approximately $1.6^{\circ}$, enabling the detector to sample variations in the neutrino flux as a function of angle-a technique known as PRISM, referred to here as SBND-PRISM. In this paper, we show how muon- and electron-neutrino fluxes vary as a function of the neutrino beam axis angle and how this can be exploited to expand the physics potential of SBND. We make use of a model that predicts an angle-dependent electron-neutrino excess signal to illustrate this effect, such as $\nu_\mu \to \nu_e$ oscillations. We present how SBND-PRISM provides a method to add robustness against uncertainties in cross-section modeling and, more generally, uncertainties that do not depend on the spatial position of neutrino interaction inside the detector. The fluxes, along with their associated covariance matrices, are made publicly available with this publication.

hep-ex↗