PMT Test Facility at MPIK Heidelberg and Double Chooz Super Vertical Slice
Proceedings supplement for conference poster at Neutrino 2010, Athens, Greece.
physics.ins-det↗
arXiv subjects
M. Lindner
Publications and source records attributed to M. Lindner.
The distributed Slow Control System of the XENON100 Experiment
The XENON100 experiment, in operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) in Italy, was designed to search for evidence of dark matter interactions inside a volume of liquid xenon using a dual-phase time projection chamber. This paper describes the Slow Control System (SCS) of the experiment with emphasis on the distributed architecture as well as on its modular and expandable nature. The system software was designed according to the rules of Object-Oriented Programming and coded in Java, thus promoting code reusability and maximum flexibility during commissioning of the experiment. The SCS has been continuously monitoring the XENON100 detector since mid 2008, remotely recording hundreds of parameters on a few dozen instruments in real time, and setting emergency alarms for the most important variables.
astro-ph.IM↗
Direct Measurement of Backgrounds using Reactor-Off Data in Double Chooz
Double Chooz is unique among modern reactor-based neutrino experiments studying $\bar ν_e$ disappearance in that data can be collected with all reactors off. In this paper, we present data from 7.53 days of reactor-off running. Applying the same selection criteria as used in the Double Chooz reactor-on oscillation analysis, a measured background rate of 1.0$\pm$0.4 events/day is obtained. The background model for accidentals, cosmogenic $β$-$n$-emitting isotopes, fast neutrons from cosmic muons, and stopped-$μ$ decays used in the oscillation analysis is demonstrated to be correct within the uncertainties. Kinematic distributions of the events, which are dominantly cosmic-ray-produced correlated-background events, are provided. The background rates are scaled to the shielding depths of two other reactor-based oscillation experiments, Daya Bay and RENO.
hep-ex↗
Reactor electron antineutrino disappearance in the Double Chooz experiment
The Double Chooz experiment has observed 8,249 candidate electron antineutrino events in 227.93 live days with 33.71 GW-ton-years (reactor power x detector mass x livetime) exposure using a 10.3 cubic meter fiducial volume detector located at 1050 m from the reactor cores of the Chooz nuclear power plant in France. The expectation in case of theta13 = 0 is 8,937 events. The deficit is interpreted as evidence of electron antineutrino disappearance. From a rate plus spectral shape analysis we find sin^2 2θ13 = 0.109 \pm 0.030(stat) \pm 0.025(syst). The data exclude the no-oscillation hypothesis at 99.8% CL (2.9σ).
hep-ex↗
Comment on "On the subtleties of searching for dark matter with liquid xenon detectors"
In a recent manuscript (arXiv:1208.5046) Peter Sorensen claims that XENON100's upper limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross sections for WIMP masses below 10 GeV "may be understated by one order of magnitude or more". Having performed a similar, though more detailed analysis prior to the submission of our new result (arXiv:1207.5988), we do not confirm these findings. We point out the rationale for not considering the described effect in our final analysis and list several potential problems with his study.
astro-ph.CO↗
Large scale Gd-beta-diketonate based organic liquid scintillator production for antineutrino detection
Over the course of several decades, organic liquid scintillators have formed the basis for successful neutrino detectors. Gadolinium-loaded liquid scintillators provide efficient background suppression for electron antineutrino detection at nuclear reactor plants. In the Double Chooz reactor antineutrino experiment, a newly developed beta-diketonate gadolinium-loaded scintillator is utilized for the first time. Its large scale production and characterization are described. A new, light yield matched metal-free companion scintillator is presented. Both organic liquids comprise the target and "Gamma Catcher" of the Double Chooz detectors.
physics.ins-det↗
Light Sterile Neutrinos: A White Paper
This white paper addresses the hypothesis of light sterile neutrinos based on recent anomalies observed in neutrino experiments and the latest astrophysical data.
hep-ph↗
Indication for the disappearance of reactor electron antineutrinos in the Double Chooz experiment
The Double Chooz Experiment presents an indication of reactor electron antineutrino disappearance consistent with neutrino oscillations. A ratio of 0.944 $\pm$ 0.016 (stat) $\pm$ 0.040 (syst) observed to predicted events was obtained in 101 days of running at the Chooz Nuclear Power Plant in France, with two 4.25 GW$_{th}$ reactors. The results were obtained from a single 10 m$^3$ fiducial volume detector located 1050 m from the two reactor cores. The reactor antineutrino flux prediction used the Bugey4 measurement as an anchor point. The deficit can be interpreted as an indication of a non-zero value of the still unmeasured neutrino mixing parameter \sang. Analyzing both the rate of the prompt positrons and their energy spectrum we find \sang = 0.086 $\pm$ 0.041 (stat) $\pm$ 0.030 (syst), or, at 90% CL, 0.015 $<$ \sang $\ <$ 0.16.
hep-ex↗
Interim Design Report
The International Design Study for the Neutrino Factory (the IDS-NF) was established by the community at the ninth "International Workshop on Neutrino Factories, super-beams, and beta- beams" which was held in Okayama in August 2007. The IDS-NF mandate is to deliver the Reference Design Report (RDR) for the facility on the timescale of 2012/13. In addition, the mandate for the study [3] requires an Interim Design Report to be delivered midway through the project as a step on the way to the RDR. This document, the IDR, has two functions: it marks the point in the IDS-NF at which the emphasis turns to the engineering studies required to deliver the RDR and it documents baseline concepts for the accelerator complex, the neutrino detectors, and the instrumentation systems. The IDS-NF is, in essence, a site-independent study. Example sites, CERN, FNAL, and RAL, have been identified to allow site-specific issues to be addressed in the cost analysis that will be presented in the RDR. The choice of example sites should not be interpreted as implying a preferred choice of site for the facility.
hep-ex↗
Implications on Inelastic Dark Matter from 100 Live Days of XENON100 Data
The XENON100 experiment has recently completed a dark matter run with 100.9 live-days of data, taken from January to June 2010. Events in a 48kg fiducial volume in the energy range between 8.4 and 44.6 keVnr have been analyzed. A total of three events have been found in the predefined signal region, compatible with the background prediction of (1.8 \pm 0.6) events. Based on this analysis we present limits on the WIMP-nucleon cross section for inelastic dark matter. With the present data we are able to rule out the explanation for the observed DAMA/LIBRA modulation as being due to inelastic dark matter scattering off iodine at a 90% confidence level.
astro-ph.CO↗
Likelihood Approach to the First Dark Matter Results from XENON100
Many experiments that aim at the direct detection of Dark Matter are able to distinguish a dominant background from the expected feeble signals, based on some measured discrimination parameter. We develop a statistical model for such experiments using the Profile Likelihood ratio as a test statistic in a frequentist approach. We take data from calibrations as control measurements for signal and background, and the method allows the inclusion of data from Monte Carlo simulations. Systematic detector uncertainties, such as uncertainties in the energy scale, as well as astrophysical uncertainties, are included in the model. The statistical model can be used to either set an exclusion limit or to make a discovery claim, and the results are derived with a proper treatment of statistical and systematic uncertainties. We apply the model to the first data release of the XENON100 experiment, which allows to extract additional information from the data, and place stronger limits on the spin-independent elastic WIMP-nucleon scattering cross-section. In particular, we derive a single limit, including all relevant systematic uncertainties, with a minimum of 2.4x10^-44 cm^2 for WIMPs with a mass of 50 GeV/c^2.
hep-ex↗
Dark Matter Results from 100 Live Days of XENON100 Data
We present results from the direct search for dark matter with the XENON100 detector, installed underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN, Italy. XENON100 is a two-phase time projection chamber with a 62 kg liquid xenon target. Interaction vertex reconstruction in three dimensions with millimeter precision allows to select only the innermost 48 kg as ultra-low background fiducial target. In 100.9 live days of data, acquired between January and June 2010, no evidence for dark matter is found. Three candidate events were observed in a pre-defined signal region with an expected background of 1.8 +/- 0.6 events. This leads to the most stringent limit on dark matter interactions today, excluding spin-independent elastic WIMP-nucleon scattering cross-sections above 7.0x10^-45 cm^2 for a WIMP mass of 50 GeV/c^2 at 90% confidence level.
astro-ph.CO↗
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↗
keV sterile neutrino dark matter in gauge extensions of the standard model
It is known that a keV scale sterile neutrino is a good warm dark matter candidate. We study how this possibility could be realized in the context of gauge extensions of the standard model. The naïve expectation leads to large thermal overproduction of sterile neutrinos in this setup. However, we find that it is possible to use out-of-equilibrium decay of the other right-handed neutrinos of the model to dilute the present density of the keV sterile neutrinos and achieve the observed dark matter density. We present the universal requirements that should be satisfied by the gauge extensions of the standard model, containing right-handed neutrinos, to be viable models of warm dark matter, and provide a simple example in the context of the left-right symmetric model.
hep-ph↗
Systematic approach to leptogenesis in nonequilibrium QFT: self-energy contribution to the CP-violating parameter
In the baryogenesis via leptogenesis scenario the self-energy contribution to the CP-violating parameter plays a very important role. Here, we calculate it in a simple toy model of leptogenesis using the Schwinger-Keldysh/Kadanoff-Baym formalism as starting point. We show that the formalism is free of the double-counting problem typical for the canonical Boltzmann approach. Within the toy model, medium effects increase the CP-violating parameter. In contrast to results obtained earlier in the framework of thermal field theory, the medium corrections are linear in the particle number densities. In the resonant regime quantum corrections lead to modified expressions for the CP-violating parameter and for the decay width. Most notably, in the maximal resonant regime the Boltzmann picture breaks down and an analysis in the full Kadanoff-Baym formalism is required.
hep-ph↗
Systematic approach to leptogenesis in nonequilibrium QFT: vertex contribution to the CP-violating parameter
The generation of a baryon asymmetry via leptogenesis is usually studied by means of classical kinetic equations whose applicability to processes in the hot and expanding early universe is questionable. The approximations implied by the state-of-the-art description can be tested in a first-principle approach based on nonequilibrium field theory techniques. Here, we apply the Schwinger-Keldysh/Kadanoff-Baym formalism to a simple toy model of leptogenesis. We find that, within the toy model, medium effects increase the vertex contribution to the CP-violating parameter. At high temperatures it is a few times larger than in vacuum and asymptotically reaches the vacuum value as the temperature decreases. Contrary to the results obtained earlier in the framework of thermal field theory, the corrections are only linear in the particle number densities. An important feature of the Kadanoff-Baym formalism is that it is free of the double-counting problem, i.e. no need for real intermediate state subtraction arises. In particular, this means that the structure of the equations automatically ensures that the asymmetry vanishes in equilibrium. These results give a first glimpse into a number of new and interesting effects that can be studied in the framework of nonequilibrium field theory.
hep-ph↗
The LAGUNA design study- towards giant liquid based underground detectors for neutrino physics and astrophysics and proton decay searches
The feasibility of a next generation neutrino observatory in Europe is being considered within the LAGUNA design study. To accommodate giant neutrino detectors and shield them from cosmic rays, a new very large underground infrastructure is required. Seven potential candidate sites in different parts of Europe and at several distances from CERN are being studied: Boulby (UK), Canfranc (Spain), Fréjus (France/Italy), Pyhäsalmi (Finland), Polkowice-Sieroszowice (Poland), Slanic (Romania) and Umbria (Italy). The design study aims at the comprehensive and coordinated technical assessment of each site, at a coherent cost estimation, and at a prioritization of the sites within the summer 2010.
physics.ins-det↗
Deriving Boltzmann Equations from Kadanoff-Baym Equations in Curved Space-Time
To calculate the baryon asymmetry in the baryogenesis via leptogenesis scenario one usually uses Boltzmann equations with transition amplitudes computed in vacuum. However, the hot and dense medium and, potentially, the expansion of the universe can affect the collision terms and hence the generated asymmetry. In this paper we derive the Boltzmann equation in the curved space-time from (first-principle) Kadanoff-Baym equations. As one expects from general considerations, the derived equations are covariant generalizations of the corresponding equations in Minkowski space-time. We find that, after the necessary approximations have been performed, only the left-hand side of the Boltzmann equation depends on the space-time metric. The amplitudes in the collision term on the right--hand side are independent of the metric, which justifies earlier calculations where this has been assumed implicitly. At tree level, the matrix elements coincide with those computed in vacuum. However, the loop contributions involve additional integrals over the the distribution function.
hep-ph↗