arXiv subjects

M. H. Shaevitz

Publications and source records attributed to M. H. Shaevitz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Proposal for an Electron Antineutrino Disappearance Search Using High-Rate 8Li Production and Decay

This paper introduces a novel, high-intensity source of electron antineutrinos from the production and subsequent decay of 8Li. When paired with an existing ~1 kton scintillator-based detector, this =6.4 MeV source opens a wide range of possible searches for beyond standard model physics via studies of the inverse beta decay interaction. In particular, the experimental design described here has unprecedented sensitivity to electron antineutrino disappearance at $Δm^2\sim$ 1 eV$^2$ and features the ability to distinguish between the existence of zero, one, and two sterile neutrinos.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Dual baseline search for muon antineutrino disappearance at 0.1 eV^2 < Δm^2 < 100 eV^2

The MiniBooNE and SciBooNE collaborations report the results of a joint search for short baseline disappearance of \bar{ν_μ} at Fermilab's Booster Neutrino Beamline. The MiniBooNE Cherenkov detector and the SciBooNE tracking detector observe antineutrinos from the same beam, therefore the combined analysis of their datasets serves to partially constrain some of the flux and cross section uncertainties. Uncertainties in the ν_μ background were constrained by neutrino flux and cross section measurements performed in both detectors. A likelihood ratio method was used to set a 90% confidence level upper limit on \bar{ν_μ} disappearance that dramatically improves upon prior limits in the Δm^2=0.1-100 eV^2 region.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Cost-effective Design Options for IsoDAR

This whitepaper reviews design options for the IsoDAR electron antineutrino source. IsoDAR is designed to produce $2.6 \times 10^{22}$ electron antineutrinos per year with an average energy of 6.4 MeV, using isotope decay-at-rest. Aspects which must be balanced for cost-effectiveness include: overall cost; rate and energy distribution of the electron antineutrino flux and backgrounds; low technical risk; compactness; simplicity of underground construction and operation; reliability; value to future neutrino physics programs; and value to industry. We show that the baseline design outlined here is the most cost effective.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2012

Letter of Intent: A new investigation of numu to nue oscillations with improved sensitivity in an enhanced MiniBooNE experiment

We propose adding 300 mg/l PPO to the existing MiniBooNE detector mineral oil to increase the scintillation response. This will allow the detection of associated neutrons and increase sensitivity to final-state nucleons in neutrino interactions. This increased capability will enable an independent test of whether the current excess seen in the MiniBooNE oscillation search is signal or background. In addition it will enable other neutrino interaction measurements to be made including a search for the strange-quark contribution to the nucleon spin Delta s and a low-energy measurement of charged-current quasielastic scattering.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

A Combined $ν_μ\to ν_e$ and $\barν_μ\to \barν_e$ Oscillation Analysis of the MiniBooNE Excesses

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from an analysis of the combined $ν_e$ and $\bar ν_e$ appearance data from $6.46 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target in neutrino mode and $11.27 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target in antineutrino mode. A total excess of $240.3 \pm 34.5 \pm 52.6$ events ($3.8 σ$) is observed from combining the two data sets in the energy range $200<E_ν^{QE}<1250$ MeV. In a combined fit for CP-conserving $ν_μ\rightarrow ν_e$ and $\barν_μ\rightarrow\barν_e$ oscillations via a two-neutrino model, the background-only fit has a $χ^2$-probability of 0.03% relative to the best oscillation fit. The data are consistent with neutrino oscillations in the $0.01 < Δm^2 < 1.0$ eV$^2$ range and with the evidence for antineutrino oscillations from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND).

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Multimegawatt DAE$δ$ALUS Cyclotrons for Neutrino Physics

DAE$δ$ALUS (Decay-At-rest Experiment for $δ_{CP}$ studies At the Laboratory for Underground Science) provides a new approach to the search for CP violation in the neutrino sector. High-power continuous-wave proton cyclotrons efficiently provide the necessary proton beams with an energy of up to 800 MeV to create neutrinos from pion and muon decay-at-rest. The experiment searches for $\barν_μ \rightarrow \barν_e$ at short baselines corresponding to the atmospheric $Δm^2$ region. The $\barν_e$ will be detected via inverse beta decay. Thus, the cyclotrons will be employed at a future ultra-large gadolinium-doped water or scintillator detector. In this paper we address the most challenging questions regarding a cyclotron-based high-power proton driver in the megawatt range with a kinetic energy of 800 MeV. Aspects of important subsystems like the ion source and injection chain, the magnet design and radio frequency system will be addressed. Precise beam dynamics simulations, including space charge and the $\text{H}_2^+$ stripping process, are the base for the characterization and quantification of the beam halo -- one of the most limiting processes in high-power particle accelerators.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2012

Sterile Neutrino Fits to Short Baseline Neutrino Oscillation Measurements

This paper reviews short baseline oscillation experiments as interpreted within the context of one, two, and three sterile neutrino models associated with additional neutrino mass states in the ~1 eV range. Appearance and disappearance signals and limits are considered. We show that fitting short baseline data sets to a (3+3) model, defined by three active and three sterile neutrinos, results in an overall goodness of fit of 67%, and a compatibility of 90% among all data sets -- to be compared to the compatibility of 0.043% and 13% for a (3+1) and a (3+2) model, respectively. While the (3+3) fit yields the highest quality overall, it still finds inconsistencies with the MiniBooNE appearance data sets; in particular, the global fit fails to account for the observed MiniBooNE low-energy excess. Given the overall improvement, we recommend using the results of (3+2) and (3+3) fits, rather than (3+1) fits, for future neutrino oscillation phenomenology. These results motivate the pursuit of further short baseline experiments, such as those reviewed in this paper.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Test of Lorentz and CPT violation with Short Baseline Neutrino Oscillation Excesses

The sidereal time dependence of MiniBooNE electron neutrino and anti-electron neutrino appearance data are analyzed to search for evidence of Lorentz and CPT violation. An unbinned Kolmogorov-Smirnov test shows both the electron neutrino and anti-electron neutrino appearance data are compatible with the null sidereal variation hypothesis to more than 5%. Using an unbinned likelihood fit with a Lorentz-violating oscillation model derived from the Standard Model Extension (SME) to describe any excess events over background, we find that the electron neutrino appearance data prefer a sidereal time-independent solution, and the anti-electron neutrino appearance data slightly prefer a sidereal time-dependent solution. Limits of order 10E-20 GeV are placed on combinations of SME coefficients. These limits give the best limits on certain SME coefficients for muon neutrino to electron neutrino and anti-muon neutrino to anti-electron neutrino oscillations. The fit values and limits of combinations of SME coefficients are provided.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Limits on Electron Neutrino Disappearance from the KARMEN and LSND electron neutrino - Carbon Cross Section Data

This paper presents a combined analysis of the KARMEN and LSND nu_e-carbon cross section measurements within the context of a search for nu_e disappearance at high Delta m^2. KARMEN and LSND were located at 17.7 m and 29.8 m respectively from the neutrino source, so the consistency of the two measurements, as a function of antineutrino energy, sets strong limits on neutrino oscillations. Most of the allowed region from the nu_e disappearance analysis of the Gallium calibration data is excluded at >95% CL and the best fit point is excluded at 3.6$σ$. Assuming CPT conservation, comparisons are also made to the oscillation analyses of reactor antineutrino data.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Confronting the short-baseline oscillation anomalies with a single sterile neutrino and non-standard matter effects

We examine the MiniBooNE neutrino, MiniBooNE antineutrino and LSND antineutrino data sets in a two-neutrino $\stackrel{\tiny{(-)}}ν_μ\rightarrow\stackrel{\tiny{(-)}}ν_e$ oscillation approximation subject to non-standard matter effects. We assume those effects can be parametrized by an $L$-independent effective potential, $V_s=\pm A_s$, experienced only by an intermediate, non-weakly-interacting (sterile) neutrino state which we assume participates in the oscillation, where $+/-$ corresponds to neutrino/antineutrino propagation. We discuss the mathematical framework in which such oscillations arise in detail, and derive the relevant oscillation probability as a function of the vacuum oscillation parameters $Δm^2$ and $\sin^22θ_{μe}$, and the matter effect parameter $A_s$. We are able to successfully fit all three data sets, including the MiniBooNE low energy excess, with the following best-fit model parameters: $Δm^2=0.47$ eV$^2$, $\sin^22θ_{μe}=0.010$, and $A_s=2.0\times10^{-10}$ eV. The $χ^2$-probability for the best fit corresponds to 21.6%, to be compared to 6.8% for a fit where $A_s$ has been set to zero, corresponding to a (3+1) sterile neutrino oscillation model. We find that the compatibility between the three data sets corresponds to 17.4%, to be compared to 2.3% for $A_s=0$. Finally, given the fit results, we examine consequences for reactor, solar, and atmospheric oscillations. For this paper, the presented model is empirically driven, but the results obtained can be directly used to investigate various phenomenological interpretations such as non-standard matter effects.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Measuring Active-to-Sterile Neutrino Oscillations with Neutral Current Coherent Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering

Light sterile neutrinos have been introduced as an explanation for a number of oscillation signals at $Δm^2 \sim 1$ eV$^2$. Neutrino oscillations at relatively short baselines provide a probe of these possible new states. This paper describes an accelerator-based experiment using neutral current coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering to strictly search for active-to-sterile neutrino oscillations. This experiment could, thus, definitively establish the existence of sterile neutrinos and provide constraints on their mixing parameters. A cyclotron-based proton beam can be directed to multiple targets, producing a low energy pion and muon decay-at-rest neutrino source with variable distance to a single detector. Two types of detectors are considered: a germanium-based detector inspired by the CDMS design and a liquid argon detector inspired by the proposed CLEAR experiment.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Dual baseline search for muon neutrino disappearance at 0.5 eV^2 < Δm^2 < 40 eV^2

The SciBooNE and MiniBooNE collaborations report the results of a ν_μdisappearance search in the Δm^2 region of 0.5-40 eV^2. The neutrino rate as measured by the SciBooNE tracking detectors is used to constrain the rate at the MiniBooNE Cherenkov detector in the first joint analysis of data from both collaborations. Two separate analyses of the combined data samples set 90% confidence level (CL) limits on ν_μdisappearance in the 0.5-40 eV^2 Δm^2 region, with an improvement over previous experimental constraints between 10 and 30 eV^2.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

Improved Parameterization of $K^+$ Production in p-Be Collisions at Low Energy Using Feynman Scaling

This paper describes an improved parameterization for proton-beryllium production of secondary $K^{+}$ mesons for experiments with primary proton beams from 8.89 to 24 GeV. The parameterization is based on Feynman scaling in which the invariant cross section is described as a function of $x_{F}$ and $p_{T}$. This method is theoretically motivated and provides a better description of the energy dependence of kaon production at low beam energies than other parameterizations such as the commonly used "Modified Sanford-Wang" model. This Feynman scaling parameterization has been used for the simulation of the neutrino flux from the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermilab and has been shown to agree with the neutrino interaction data from the SciBooNE experiment. This parameterization will also be useful for future neutrino experiments with low primary beam energies, such as those planned for the Project X accelerator.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

Measurement of K+ production cross section by 8 GeV protons using high energy neutrino interactions in the SciBooNE detector

The SciBooNE Collaboration reports K+ production cross section and rate measurements using high energy daughter muon neutrino scattering data off the SciBar polystyrene (C8H8) target in the SciBooNE detector. The K+ mesons are produced by 8 GeV protons striking a beryllium target in Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam line (BNB). Using observed neutrino and antineutrino events in SciBooNE, we measure d2σ/dpdΩ = (5.34 \times 0.76) mb/(GeV/c \times sr) for p + Be -> K+ + X at mean K+ energy of 3.9 GeV and angle (with respect to the proton beam direction) of 3.7 degrees, corresponding to the selected K+ sample. Compared to Monte Carlo predictions using previous higher energy K+ production measurements, this measurement, which uses the NUANCE neutrino interaction generator, is consistent with a normalization factor of 0.85\times0.12. This agreement is evidence that the extrapolation of the higher energy K+ measurements to an 8 GeV beam energy using Feynman scaling is valid. This measurement reduces the error on the K+ production cross section from 40% to 14%.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

Short-baseline Neutrino Oscillation Waves in Ultra-large Liquid Scintillator Detectors

Powerful new multi-kiloton liquid scintillator neutrino detectors, including NOvA and LENA, will come on-line within the next decade. When these are coupled with a modest-power decay-at-rest (DAR) neutrino source at short-baseline, these detectors can decisively address the recent ambiguous signals for neutrino oscillations at high Delta m^2. These detectors are > 50 m long, and so with a DAR beam, the characteristic oscillation wave will be apparent over the length of the detector, providing a powerful verification of the oscillation phenomena. LENA can simultaneously perform numubar to nuebar appearance and nue to nue disappearance searches with unprecedented sensitivity. NOvA is likely limited to nue disappearance given its present design, but also has excellent sensitivity in the high Delta m^2 region. For the appearance channel, LENA could provide a stringent test of the LSND and MiniBooNE signal regions at > 5 sigma with a reduced fiducial volume of 5 kt and a 10 kW neutrino source. In addition, the LENA and NOvA disappearance sensitivities in nue mode are complementary to the recent reactor anomaly indicating possible nuebar disappearance and would cover this possible oscillation signal at the 3 sigma level.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Measurement of Neutrino-Induced Charged-Current Charged Pion Production Cross Sections on Mineral Oil at E$_ν\sim 1~\textrm{GeV}$

Using a high-statistics, high-purity sample of $ν_μ$-induced charged current, charged pion events in mineral oil (CH$_2$), MiniBooNE reports a collection of interaction cross sections for this process. This includes measurements of the CC$π^+$ cross section as a function of neutrino energy, as well as flux-averaged single- and double-differential cross sections of the energy and direction of both the final-state muon and pion. In addition, each of the single-differential cross sections are extracted as a function of neutrino energy to decouple the shape of the MiniBooNE energy spectrum from the results. In many cases, these cross sections are the first time such quantities have been measured on a nuclear target and in the 1 GeV energy range.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

Measurement of $ν_μ$-induced charged-current neutral pion production cross sections on mineral oil at $E_ν\in0.5-2.0$ GeV

Using a custom 3 Čerenkov-ring fitter, we report cross sections for $ν_μ$-induced charged-current single $π^0$ production on mineral oil (\chtwo) from a sample of 5810 candidate events with 57% signal purity over an energy range of $0.5-2.0$GeV. This includes measurements of the absolute total cross section as a function of neutrino energy, and flux-averaged differential cross sections measured in terms of $Q^2$, $μ^-$ kinematics, and $π^0$ kinematics. The sample yields a flux-averaged total cross section of $(9.2\pm0.3_{stat.}\pm1.5_{syst.})\times10^{-39}$cm$^2$/CH$_2$ at mean neutrino energy of 0.965GeV.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

Measurement of inclusive charged current interactions on carbon in a few-GeV neutrino beam

The SciBooNE Collaboration reports a measurement of inclusive charged current interactions of muon neutrinos on carbon with an average energy of 0.8 GeV using the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam. We compare our measurement with two neutrino interaction simulations: NEUT and NUANCE. The charged current interaction rates (product of flux and cross section) are extracted by fitting the muon kinematics, with a precision of 6-15% for the energy dependent and 3% for the energy integrated analyses. We also extract CC inclusive interaction cross sections from the observed rates, with a precision of 10-30% for the energy dependent and 8% for the energy integrated analyses. This is the first measurement of the CC inclusive cross section on carbon around 1 GeV. These results can be used to convert previous SciBooNE cross section ratio measurements to absolute cross section values.

hep-ex↗