arXiv subjects

S. Meigo

Publications and source records attributed to S. Meigo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

PMT calibration for the JSNS2-II far detector with an embedded LED system

The JSNS2-II (the second phase of JSNS2, J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) is an experiment aimed at searching for sterile neutrinos. This experiment has entered its second phase, employing two liquid scintillator detectors located at near and far positions from the neutrino source. Recently, the far detector of the experiment has been completed and is currently in the calibration phase. This paper presents a detailed description of the calibration process utilizing the LED system. The LED system of the far detector uses two Ultra-Violet (UV) LEDs, which are effective in calibrating all of PMTs at once. The UV light is converted into the visible light wavelengths inside liquid scintillator via the wavelength shifters, providing pseudo-isotropic light. The properties of all functioning Photo-Multiplier-Tubes (PMTs) to detect the neutrino events in the far detector, such as gain, its dependence of supplied High Voltage (HV), and Peak-to-Valley (PV) were calibrated. To achieve a good energy resolution for physics events, up to 10% of the relative gain adjustment is required for all functioning PMTs. This will be achieved using the measured HV curves and the LED calibration. The Peak-to-Valley (PV) ratio values are the similar to those from the production company, which distinguish the single photo-electron signal from the pedestal. Additionally, the precision of PMT signal timing is measured to be 2.1 ns, meeting the event reconstruction requirement of 10 ns.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Muon tagging with Flash ADC waveform baselines

This manuscript describes an innovative method to tag the muons using the baseline information of the Flash ADC (FADC) waveform of PMTs in the JSNS1 (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment. This experiment is designed for the search for sterile neutrinos, and a muon tagging is an essential key component for the background rejection since the detector of the experiment is located over-ground, where is the 3rd floor of the J-PARC Material and Life experimental facility (MLF). Especially, stopping muons inside the detector create the Michel electrons, and they are important background to be rejected. Utilizing this innovative method, more than 99.8% of Michel electrons can be rejected even without a detector veto region. This technique can be employed for any experiments which uses the similar detector configurations.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

The first JSNS$^2$ measurement of electron neutrino flux using $^{12}C(\nu_{e},e^{-}) ^{12}N_{g.s.}$ reaction

JSNS$^2$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) is an experiment searching for sterile neutrinos through the observation of $\bar{\nu}_{\mu} \rightarrow \bar{\nu}_e$ appearance oscillations, using neutrinos produced by muon decay-at-rest. A key aspect of the experiment involves accurately understanding the neutrino flux and the quantities of pions and muons, which are progenitors of (anti-)neutrinos, given that their production rates have yet to be measured. We present the first electron-neutrino flux measurement using $^{12}\mathrm{C}(\nu_{e},e^{-}) ^{12}\mathrm{N}_{g.s.}$ reaction in JSNS$^2$, yielding a flux of (6.7 $\pm$ 1.6 (stat.) $\pm$ 1.7 (syst.)) $\times$ 10$^{-9}$ cm$^{-2}$ proton$^{-1}$ at the JSNS$^2$ detector location, located at 24 meters distance from the mercury target. This flux measurement is consistent with predictions from simulations based on hadron models.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

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 $K^+ \rightarrow \mu^+ \nu_\mu$ decay at rest ($E_{\nu_\mu}=235.5$ 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 $\nu_\mu n \rightarrow \mu^- p$ or $\nu_\mu$$^{12}\mathrm{C}$ $\rightarrow \mu^-$$^{12}\mathrm{N}$, we define the missing energy as the energy transferred to the nucleus ($\omega$) minus the kinetic energy of the outgoing proton(s), $E_{m} \equiv\omega-\sum T_p$, and relate this to visible energy in the detector, $E_{m}=E_{\nu_\mu} (235.5 \mathrm{MeV})-m_\mu (105.7 \mathrm{MeV}) + [m_n-m_p (1.3 \mathrm{MeV})] - E_{\mathrm{vis}}$. 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.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Evaluation of the performance of the event reconstruction algorithms in the JSNS$^2$ experiment using a $^{252}$Cf calibration source

JSNS$^2$ searches for short baseline neutrino oscillations with a baseline of 24~meters and a target of 17~tonnes of the Gd-loaded liquid scintillator. The correct algorithm on the event reconstruction of events, which determines the position and energy of neutrino interactions in the detector, are essential for the physics analysis of the data from the experiment. Therefore, the performance of the event reconstruction is carefully checked with calibrations using $^{252}$Cf source. This manuscript describes the methodology and the performance of the event reconstruction.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Pulse Shape Discrimination in JSNS$^2$

JSNS$^2$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) is an experiment that is searching for sterile neutrinos via the observation of $\bar{\nu}_{\mu} \rightarrow \bar{\nu}_e$ appearance oscillations using neutrinos with muon decay-at-rest. For this search, rejecting cosmic-ray-induced neutron events by Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) is essential because the JSNS$^2$ detector is located above ground, on the third floor of the building. We have achieved 95$\%$ rejection of neutron events while keeping 90$\%$ of signal, electron-like events using a data driven likelihood method.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

The acrylic vessel for JSNS$^{2}$-II neutrino target

The JSNS$^{2}$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) is an experiment designed for the search for sterile neutrinos. The experiment is currently at the stage of the second phase named JSNS$^{2}$-II with two detectors at near and far locations from the neutrino source. One of the key components of the experiment is an acrylic vessel, that is used for the target volume for the detection of the anti-neutrinos. The specifications, design, and measured properties of the acrylic vessel are described.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Irradiation Facilities and Irradiation Methods for High Power Target

High Power Target systems are key elements in future neutrino and other rare particle production in accelerators. These systems transform an intense source of protons into secondary particles of interest to enable new scientific discoveries. As beam intensity and energies increase, target systems face significant challenges. Radiation damages and thermal shocks in target materials were identified as the leading cross-cutting challenges of high-power target facilities. Target material R&D to address these challenges are essential to enable and ensure reliable operation of future-generation accelerators. Irradiation facilities and alternative methods are critical to provide a full support of material R&D and better address these critical challenges.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2021

Characterization of the correlated background for a sterile neutrino search using the first dataset of the JSNS$^2$ experiment

JSNS$^2$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) is an experiment that is searching for sterile neutrinos via the observation of $\bar{\nu}_{\mu} \to \bar{\nu}_{e}$ appearance oscillations using muon decay-at-rest neutrinos. Before dedicated data taking in the first-half of 2021, we performed a commissioning run for 10 days in June 2020. Using the data obtained in this commissioning run, in this paper, we present an estimate of the correlated background which imitates the $\bar{\nu}_{e}$ signal in a sterile neutrino search. In addition, in order to demonstrate future prospects of the JSNS$^2$ experiment, possible pulse shape discrimination improvements towards reducing cosmic ray induced fast neutron background are described.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

The JSNS^2 Detector

The JSNS^2 (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment aims to search for oscillations involving a sterile neutrino in the eV^2 mass-splitting range. The experiment will search for the appearance of electron antineutrinos oscillated from muon antineutrinos. The electron antineutrinos are detected via the inverse beta decay process using a liquid scintillator detector. A 1MW beam of 3 GeV protons incident on a spallation neutron target produces an intense and pulsed neutrino source from pion, muon, and kaon decay at rest. The JSNS^2 detector is located 24 m away from the neutrino source and began operation from June 2020. The detector contains 17 tonnes of gadolinium (Gd) loaded liquid scintillator (LS) in an acrylic vessel, as a neutrino target. It is surrounded by 31 tonnes of unloaded LS in a stainless steel tank. Optical photons produced in LS are viewed by 120 R7081 Hamamatsu 10-inch Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs). In this paper, we describe the JSNS^2 detector design, construction, and operation.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Proposal: JSNS$^2$-II

This article describes the goal and expected sensitivity of the JSNS$^2$-II experiment at J-PARC Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF). The JSNS$^2$-II experiment is the second phase of the JSNS$^2$ experiment (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) with two detectors which are located in 24 m (an existing detector) and 48 m (new one) baselines to improve the sensitivity of the search for sterile neutrinos, especially in the low $\Delta m^2$ region, which has been indicated by the global fit of the appearance mode. The new second detector has a similar structure as the existing JSNS$^2$ detector, which is already working. To compensate for the reduction of the neutrino flux due to the distance from the mercury target, the target mass of the Gd-loaded liquid scintillator which is the Linear AlkylBenzene (LAB) based liquid scintillator inside the acrylic vessel is 35 tons. To keep the same photo-coverage of the detector as the first detector, we will surround the acrylic vessel with 240 PMTs. With this experimental setup and 5 years (times 1 MW beam power) exposure, the sensitivity of the JSNS$^2$-II is significantly improved compared to the current JSNS$^2$, especially in the low $\Delta m^2$ oscillation parameter region. The JSNS$^2$-II can also confirm or refute the most of the oscillation parameters' space preferred by the previous experiments with 3 sigma C.L.. Considering these situations and world wide status of the sterile neutrino searches, we are eager to start the data taking with the two detector configuration from 2023. The fund to build the second detector was already secured.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

The JSNS$^{2}$ data acquisition system

The JSNS$^{2}$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment aims to search for neutrino oscillations over a 24 m short baseline at J-PARC. The JSNS$^{2}$ inner detector is filled with 17 tons of gadolinium(Gd)-loaded liquid scintillator (LS) with an additional 31 tons of unloaded LS in the intermediate $\gamma$-catcher and an optically separated outer veto volumes. A total of 120 10-inch photomultiplier tubes observe the scintillating optical photons and each analog waveform is stored with the flash analog-to-digital converters. We present details of the data acquisition, processing, and data quality monitoring system. We also present two different trigger logics which are developed for the beam and self-trigger.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Slow control and monitoring system at the JSNS$^{2}$

The JSNS$^2$ experiment is aimed to search for sterile neutrino oscillations using a neutrino beam from muon decays at rest. The JSNS$^2$ detector contains 17 tons of 0.1\% gadolinium (Gd) loaded liquid scintillator (LS) as a neutrino target. Detector construction was completed in the spring of 2020. A slow control and monitoring system (SCMS) was implemented for reliable control and quick monitoring of the detector operational status and environmental conditions. It issues an alarm if any of the monitored parameters exceed a preset acceptable range. The SCMS monitors the high voltage (HV) of the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), the LS level in the detector, possible LS overflow and leakage, the temperature and air pressure in the detector, the humidity of the experimental hall, and the LS flow rate during filling and extraction. An initial 10 days of data-taking with a neutrino beam was done following a successful commissioning of the detector and SCMS in June 2020. In this paper, we present a description of the assembly and installation of the SCMS and its performance.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Performance of PMTs for the JSNS2 experiment

The JSNS$^{2}$ (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment aims to search for neutrino oscillations over a 24\,m short baseline at J-PARC. The JSNS$^{2}$ inner detector is filled with 17 tons of gadolinium-loaded liquid scintillator (LS) and both the intermediate $\gamma$-catcher and the optically separated outer veto are filled with un-loaded LS. Optical photons from scintillation are observed by 120 Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs). A total of 130 PMTs for the JSNS2 experiment were both donated by other experiments and purchased from Hamamatsu. Donated PMTs were purchased around 10 years ago, therefore JSNS$^{2}$ did pre-calibration of the PMTs including the purchased PMTs. 123 PMTs demonstrated acceptable performance for the JSNS$^{2}$ experiment, and 120 PMTs were installed in the detector.

physics.ins-det↗

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 $\Delta m^2$ 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 $\mu^+$ decay: $\mu^{+} \to e^{+} + \bar{\nu}_{\mu} + \nu_{e}$. The experiment will search for $\bar{\nu}_{\mu}$ to $\bar{\nu}_{e}$ oscillations which are detected by the inverse beta decay interaction $\bar{\nu}_{e} + p \to e^{+} + n$, 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↗

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.

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

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.

physics.ins-det↗