arXiv subjects

L. Munteanu

Publications and source records attributed to L. Munteanu.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Construction, commissioning, and performance of the ENUBET demonstrator

A final full-size prototype of the instrumented decay tunnel of ENUBET, referred to as the Demonstrator, was constructed and its performance was tested during the 2022, 2023 and 2024 beam test campaigns at the CERN East Area facility. We demonstrate the full scalability of this specialized longitudinal sampling calorimeter technology, based on iron absorbers and scintillator tiles readout by wavelength-shifting fibers and SiPMs. In addition, we evaluate the channel-by- channel response and the performance in terms of electron energy resolution, linearity, and particle identification capabilities, using charged particle beams with energies up to 5 GeV. A comparison with the predictions of a GEANT4 simulation of the prototype is also presented. The results meet the requirements for neutrino monitoring through lepton identification in the decay tunnel and validate the ENUBET full simulation. Although some limitations have been identified, they can be readily addressed in future developments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Performance of the High-Angle Time Projection Chambers in the Upgraded T2K Off-Axis Near Detector

The off-axis magnetic near detector of the T2K experiment has undergone a significant upgrade, including the construction and installation of two new Time Projection Chambers featuring innovative resistive Micromegas technology and a field cage composed of thin composite walls. This paper provides a detailed description of the new components of the chambers, including the gas system, gas monitoring chambers, and data acquisition system. Additionally, it reports the results of extensive testing using both neutrino beams and cosmic rays, with comparisons between data and Monte Carlo simulations. The new detectors achieve improved spatial resolution and enhanced particle identification capabilities which are crucial for the precision goals of the T2K experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Neutrino Scattering: Connections Across Theory and Experiment

In this document drafted by the Neutrino Scattering Theory Experiment Collaboration (NuSTEC), we provide input on the synergies between theoretical and experimental efforts that can provide critical input to the prediction accuracy needed for the forthcoming high-precision neutrino measurements. These efforts involve a wide range of energies and interaction processes, as well as target nuclei and interaction probes. The challenges discussed will be overcome only through the active support of integrated collaboration across strong and electroweak physics from both the nuclear and high energy physics communities.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

nuSCOPE: A short-baseline neutrino beam at CERN for high-precision cross-section measurements

A new generation of neutrino cross-section experiments at the GeV scale is crucial in the precision era of oscillation physics and lepton flavor studies. In this document, we present a novel neutrino beam design that leverages the experience and R&D achievements of the NP06/ENUBET and NuTag Collaborations and explore its potential implementation at CERN. This beam enables flux monitoring at the percent level and provides a neutrino energy measurement independent of final state particle reconstruction at the neutrino detector. As a result, it eliminates the two primary sources of systematic uncertainty in cross-section measurements: flux normalization and energy bias caused by nuclear effects. We provide a detailed description of the beam technology and instrumentation, along with an overview of its physics potential, with particular emphasis on cross-sections relevant to DUNE and Hyper-Kamiokande.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Parametrized uncertainties in the spectral function model of neutrino charged-current quasielastic interactions for oscillation analyses

A substantial fraction of systematic uncertainties in neutrino oscillation experiments stem from the lack of precision in modeling the nuclear target in neutrino-nucleus interactions. Whilst this has driven significant progress in the development of improved nuclear models for neutrino scattering, it is crucial that the models used in neutrino data analyses be accompanied by parameters and associated uncertainties that allow the coverage of plausible nuclear physics. Based on constraints from electron scattering data, we develop such a set of parameters, which can be applied to nuclear shell models, and test their application to the Benhar et al spectral function model. The parametrization is validated through a series of maximum likelihood fits to cross-section measurements made by the T2K and MINERvA experiments, which also permit an exploration of the power of near-detector data to provide constraints on the parameters in neutrino oscillation analyses.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Characterization of Charge Spreading and Gain of Encapsulated Resistive Micromegas Detectors for the Upgrade of the T2K Near Detector Time Projection Chambers

An upgrade of the near detector of the T2K long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment is currently being conducted. This upgrade will include two new Time Projection Chambers, each equipped with 16 charge readout resistive Micromegas modules. A procedure to validate the performance of the detectors at different stages of production has been developed and implemented to ensure a proper and reliable operation of the detectors once installed. A dedicated X-ray test bench is used to characterize the detectors by scanning each pad individually and to precisely measure the uniformity of the gain and the deposited energy resolution over the pad plane. An energy resolution of about 10% is obtained. A detailed physical model has been developed to describe the charge dispersion phenomena in the resistive Micromegas anode. The detailed physical description includes initial ionization, electron drift, diffusion effects and the readout electronics effects. The model provides an excellent characterization of the charge spreading of the experimental measurements and allowed the simultaneous extraction of gain and RC information of the modules.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Analysis of test beam data taken with a prototype of TPC with resistive Micromegas for the T2K Near Detector upgrade

In this paper we describe the performance of a prototype of the High Angle Time Projection Chambers (HA-TPCs) that are being produced for the Near Detector (ND280) upgrade of the T2K experiment. The two HA-TPCs of ND280 will be instrumented with eight Encapsulated Resistive Anode Micromegas (ERAM) on each endplate, thus constituting in total 32 ERAMs. This innovative technique allows the detection of the charge emitted by ionization electrons over several pads, improving the determination of the track position. The TPC prototype has been equipped with the first ERAM module produced for T2K and with the HA-TPC readout electronics chain and it has been exposed to the DESY Test Beam in order to measure spatial and dE/dx resolution. In this paper we characterize the performances of the ERAM and, for the first time, we compare them with a newly developed simulation of the detector response. Spatial resolution better than 800 ${\mu \rm m}$ and dE/dx resolution better than 10% are observed for all the incident angles and for all the drift distances of interest. All the main features of the data are correctly reproduced by the simulation and these performances fully fulfill the requirements for the HA-TPCs of T2K.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Study of final-state interactions of protons in neutrino-nucleus scattering with INCL and NuWro cascade models

The modeling of neutrino-nucleus interactions constitutes a challenging source of systematic uncertainty for the extraction of precise values of neutrino oscillation parameters in long-baseline accelerator neutrino experiments. To improve such modeling and minimize the corresponding uncertainties, a new generation of detectors is being developed, which aim to measure the complete final state of particles resulting from neutrino interactions. In order to fully benefit from the improved detector capabilities, precise simulations of the nuclear effects on the final-state nucleons are needed. This article presents the study of the in-medium propagation of knocked-out protons, i.e., final-state interactions (FSI), comparing the NuWro and INCL cascade models. The INCL model is used here for the first time to predict exclusive final states of neutrino interactions. This study of INCL in the framework of neutrino interactions features various novelties, including the production of nuclear clusters (e.g., deuterons, $\alpha$ particles) in the final state. The paper includes a complete characterization of the final state after FSI, comparisons to available measurements of single transverse variables, and an assessment of the observability of nuclear clusters.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Sensitivity of the Upgraded T2K Near Detector to constrain neutrino and anti-neutrino interactions with no mesons in the final state by exploiting nucleon-lepton correlations

The most challenging and impactful uncertainties that future accelerator-based measurements of neutrino oscillations must overcome stem from our limited ability to model few-GeV neutrino-nucleus interactions. In particular, it is crucial to better understand the nuclear effects which can alter the final state topology and kinematics of neutrino interactions, inducing possible biases in neutrino energy reconstruction. The upgraded ND280 near detector of the T2K experiment will directly confront neutrino interaction uncertainties using a new suite of detectors with full polar angle acceptance, improved spatial resolutions, neutron detection capabilities and reduced tracking thresholds. In this manuscript we explore the physics sensitivity that can be expected from the upgraded detector, specifically focusing on the additional sensitivity to nuclear effects and how they can be constrained with future measurements of kinematic variables constructed using both outgoing lepton and nucleon kinematics.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Characterization of resistive Micromegas detectors for the upgrade of the T2K Near Detector Time Projection Chambers

The second phase of the T2K experiment is expected to start data taking in autumn 2022. An upgrade of the Near Detector (ND280) is under development and includes the construction of two new Time Projection Chambers called High-Angle TPC (HA-TPC). The two endplates of these TPCs will be paved with eight Micromegas type charge readout modules. The Micromegas detector charge amplification structure uses a resistive anode to spread the charges over several pads to improve the space point resolution. This innovative technique is combined with the bulk-Micromegas technology to compose the "Encapsulated Resistive Anode Micromegas" detector. A prototype has been designed, built and exposed to an electron beam at the DESY II test beam facility. The data have been used to characterize the charge spreading and to produce a RC map. Spatial resolution better than 600 $μ$m and energy resolution better than 9% are obtained for all incident angles. These performances fulfil the requirements for the upgrade of the ND280 TPC.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Performances of a resistive MicroMegas module for the Time Projection Chambers of the T2K Near Detector upgrade

An upgrade of the Near Detector of the T2K long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment, ND280, has been proposed. This upgrade will include two new Time Projection Chambers, each equipped with 16 resistive MicroMegas modules for gas amplification. A first prototype of resistive MicroMegas has been designed, built, installed in the HARP field cage, and exposed to a beam of charged particles at CERN. The data have been used to characterize the performances of the resistive MicroMegas module. A spatial resolution of 300 $μm$ and a deposited energy resolution of 9% were observed for horizontal electrons crossing the TPCs at 30 cm from the anode. Such performances fully satisfy the requirements for the upgrade of the ND280 TPC.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

A new method for an improved anti-neutrino energy reconstruction with charged-current interactions in next-generation detectors

We propose and validate a method of anti-neutrino energy reconstruction for charged-current meson-less interactions on composite fully active targets containing hydrogen (such as hydrocarbon scintillator), which is largely free of the poorly understood nuclear effects that usually distort and bias attempts to measure neutrino energy. The method is based on the precise event-by-event measurement of the outgoing neutron kinetic energy and the subsequent assessment of the momentum imbalance on the plane transverse to the incoming anti-neutrino direction. For an anti-neutrino flux peaked at around 600 MeV measured using a finely grained $2\times2\times2$ m$^3$ 3D scintillator tracker the neutrino energy resolution is expected to be around 7%, compared to the 15% expected using traditional neutrino energy reconstruction techniques. Analogous results can be obtained for other detectors with similar characteristics.

physics.ins-det↗