JSNS²: A Sterile Neutrino Search using Appearance at the J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source

The J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at the J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source (JSNS²) experiment is being constructed to explore the LSND and MiniBooNE anomalies, possibly indicative of oscillations involving a sterile neutrino. JSNS², expecting first data in 2019, will use a 17 ton gadolinium-loaded liquid scintillator volume exposed to neutrinos from an eventually 1 MW spallation neutron source at the J-PARC MLF. Like LSND, JSNS² will predominantly observe antineutrinos from μ⁺ decay-at-rest in searching for oscillations at high-Δm². JSNS² will also measure neutrino-induced nuclear reaction cross sections in the energy range relevant to core-collapse supernovae, and expects to record 10,000 to 20,000 charged current events from kaon decay-at-rest per year. This talk details the unique capabilities of JSNS² and reports on the status of the detector.