Michel Electron Studies in the DUNE Far Detector Prototpye Detectors
ORAL
Abstract
DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) is the next-generation accelerator neutrino experiment, aiming to solve the mysteries of neutrinos. To assess and verify the future operations of giant DUNE detectors, ProtoDUNEs are built and operated at CERN.
My research focus on ProtoDUNEs. The scientific topic is Michel electrons, the decay product of cosmic muons. Since ProtoDUNEs are on the ground, quantities of cosmic rays are available. When cosmic muons stop inside the detector, positrons will be generated by mu^+ and electrons by mu^-. Both positrons and electrons here are called Michel electrons due to their well-characterized energy and time structures.
The energy of Michel electron is usually below 60MeV. Hence, it is a good low-energy calibration source, providing opportunity to explore detector's responses at such low energy level. For solar neutrinos and supernova neutrinos, their energies are in the similar region. When captured by argon via charged-current interaction, electrons and positrons of similar energy will be generated. Therefore, if the detector performs well for Michel electrons, future detections of solar and supernova neutrinos will be assisted. Furthermore, due to the lack of magnetic field in LArTPC, positive and negative charged particles can not be distinguished directly in ProtoDUNEs and DUNE far detectors. For cosmic muons, the decay possibility of stopping mu^+ is 100%. While for mu^-, around 75% will be captured by argon nucleus, only 25% will decay into Michel electrons. Making use of the discrepancy, we can in principle distinguish mu^+ and mu^- with the assistance of Michel-electron signals. Moreover, the discrimination between mu^+ and mu^- helps the nu_mu / anti-nu_mu identifcations in atmospheric neutrinos.
My presentation of Michel electrons will show the detailed detector responses to Michel electrons as well as the discrimation between pi^+ and pi^- with the assistance of Michel-electron signals.
My research focus on ProtoDUNEs. The scientific topic is Michel electrons, the decay product of cosmic muons. Since ProtoDUNEs are on the ground, quantities of cosmic rays are available. When cosmic muons stop inside the detector, positrons will be generated by mu^+ and electrons by mu^-. Both positrons and electrons here are called Michel electrons due to their well-characterized energy and time structures.
The energy of Michel electron is usually below 60MeV. Hence, it is a good low-energy calibration source, providing opportunity to explore detector's responses at such low energy level. For solar neutrinos and supernova neutrinos, their energies are in the similar region. When captured by argon via charged-current interaction, electrons and positrons of similar energy will be generated. Therefore, if the detector performs well for Michel electrons, future detections of solar and supernova neutrinos will be assisted. Furthermore, due to the lack of magnetic field in LArTPC, positive and negative charged particles can not be distinguished directly in ProtoDUNEs and DUNE far detectors. For cosmic muons, the decay possibility of stopping mu^+ is 100%. While for mu^-, around 75% will be captured by argon nucleus, only 25% will decay into Michel electrons. Making use of the discrepancy, we can in principle distinguish mu^+ and mu^- with the assistance of Michel-electron signals. Moreover, the discrimination between mu^+ and mu^- helps the nu_mu / anti-nu_mu identifcations in atmospheric neutrinos.
My presentation of Michel electrons will show the detailed detector responses to Michel electrons as well as the discrimation between pi^+ and pi^- with the assistance of Michel-electron signals.
*This work is supported by the Visiting Scholars Award Program of the Universities Research Association.
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Presenters
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Shuaixiang Zhang
- Indiana University Bloomington