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DOE OSTI2025

Calorimetric Identification of Composite Nuclei in LAr

In neutrino-nucleus interactions, Final State Interactions (FSI) can cause nucleons to scatter or form heavier composite particles like deuterons and tritons. Observing these particles would provide direct evidence of FSI and help improve interaction models, which is essential for precise neutrino energy reconstruction in future experiments like DUNE. Our Goal: Develop an analysis to detect particles heavier than protons in ICARUS data to better constrain FSI models.

McCright, Hannah [Maryland U., College Park]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Comparison of ACHILLES and GENIE observables for DUNE-PRISM and the SBN program, with new 2p2h predictions

Several DUNE ND off axis locations were simulated using GENIE and ACHILLES, and generator differences and FSI contributions were examined for various observables. Predictions were compared with those of existing experiments, and it is shown that the DUNE ND 20m off axis predictions are similar to that of MicroBooNE for various observables. Finally, the 2p2h interaction mode was simulated for ACHILLES for the first time for ICARUS, and a preliminary comparison is made to MicroBooNE data and simulations from different event generators.

Dumont, Daniel [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Searching for Sterile Neutrinos Using an Exclusive 1$\mu$;1$\rho$ Selection: The Short Baseline Near Detector (SBND)

Over the last two decades, we have seen several of short-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments report results which challenged mainstream theories of neutrino oscillations. On the forefront of exploring these anomalies further is Fermilab's Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program, which consists of two large liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs), SBND and ICARUS, placed in alignment with the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB). I'll be showing the strength that a 1mu1p selection at the SBN program can have for delivering world-leading sensitivity to distortions in the muon neutrino spectrum due to sterile neutrino oscillations.

Rowe, Nathaniel [Chicago U.]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Updating the BNB Flux Prediction at SBND

Precise, accurate neutrino flux predictions for neutrino beam experiments are crucial for physics results. Flux uncertainties contribute significantly to the total systematic uncertainties seen in modern accelerator neutrino measurements such as cross sections, oscillations, and BSM studies.. For over a decade, experiments utilizing Fermilab’s Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) have relied on the 2009 MiniBooNE flux prediction. However, the high-statistics era of the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program, with both SBND and ICARUS now operating, demands a modernized flux model and framework. While SBND is using the MiniBooNE flux model for its Generation 1 analyses, including many upcoming cross section measurements, future work will be based on a new flux model. In this talk, the ongoing work towards this new model will be outlined, including a new simulation framework (G4BNB), a new evaluation of model parameters from hadron scattering data, and a new framework for evaluating systematic uncertainties (BNBFP). Additionally, expansions to the flux model to include BSM contributions from neutral mesons will be discussed, as well as the PRISM capabilities of SBND to observe a wide range of off axis angles of the neutrino beam.

Paton, Josephine [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Updating the BNB Flux Prediction at SBND

Paton, Josephine [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

A Joint Search for Muon Neutrino Disappearance with the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program Using the SPINE Deep Learning-Based Reconstruction Package

We present the status of a joint search for muon neutrino disappearance in the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab using the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) Program's two-detector configuration, SBND and ICARUS. Charged-current interactions consistent with muon neutrinos and containing only a muon and at least one proton in the final state are reconstructed and selected using the SPINE deep learning-based particle reconstruction package. To exploit proton multiplicity information and enhance sensitivity to modeling effects, the selected sample is partitioned into exclusive channels with exactly one reconstructed proton and with more than one reconstructed proton. Comprehensive systematic uncertainties from the neutrino flux, interaction, and detector response are incorporated into the analysis, and the coverage of these systematic uncertainty models is validated using data from both detectors, including checks of near-far consistency in key kinematic and topology-sensitive observables. This analysis is intended for inclusion in SBN's first oscillation result.

Mueller, Justin [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Search for numu Disappearance in the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program Utilizing an Exclusive 1mu1p QE-Like Final State

The Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab is searching for neutrino oscillations over a short baseline as a signature of a sterile neutrino with a mass splitting of about 1eV2. Such oscillations would drive the disappearance of muon neutrinos in the Booster Neutrino Beam between the detectors of the SBN Program. We present progress on an analysis to search for muon neutrino disappearance between the SBND and ICARUS detectors (the SBN Program's near and far detectors, respectively). This analysis leverages the one muon, one proton, quasi-elastic-like final state, which provides the best resolution for reconstructing the neutrino energy. The analysis incorporates a comprehensive set of systematic uncertainties in the neutrino flux, interaction, and detector model. This analysis will soon be completed as part of the first oscillation results at SBN.

Rowe, Nathaniel [U. Chicago (main)]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Search for muon neutrino disappearance with multi-topologically splitted Inclusive events at SBN

The Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab searches for signatures of sterile neutrinos with mass-squared splittings at the O(1) eV2 scale, motivated by anomalies previously reported by the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments. We present a search for such signatures using the muon neutrino disappearance channel. This analysis exploits the large statistics of fully inclusive charged-current interactions collected by the SBND and ICARUS detectors to maximize sensitivity. The inclusive samples in both detectors are further subdivided into multiple exclusive topological channels, a strategy designed to enhance sensitivity by isolating differences in interaction-mode composition and reconstructed energy response. This multi-topology approach represents a novel analysis technique within SBN, enabling improved constraints on systematic uncertainties arising from neutrino flux, interaction modeling, and detector response. We will present comparisons of data with detailed predictions incorporating a comprehensive treatment of systematic uncertainties and constraints on the systematics obtained by the multi-topology method.

Yadav, Shweta [Texas U., Arlington]↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Novel Hit-Based Method to Distinguish Tracks and Showers in ProtoDUNE Single Phase

Pandora is a pattern recognition software used in liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) experiments such as MicroBooNE, DUNE, SBND, ICARUS, and ProtoDUNE Single Phase (SP). The output of a LArTPC can be considered a high-resolution 2D image and energy depositions, called hits, from particles in a LArTPC create complicated topologies that are broadly classified into tracks and showers. The event reconstruction is particularly challenging when there are multiple overlapping particles and in order to fully harness the imaging capabilities of thoseexperiments, Pandora needs to separate them. A hit-based approach to this problem is presented, which analyses small regions around each hit in events from DUNE Far Detector (FD) and from those regions it calculates local variables that are used subsequently in a machine learning approach. After this stage, it is given to each hit a probability to belong to a track or shower-like particle. Results will show the performance of separation between tracks and showers. This method is planned to be used for ProtoDUNE SP.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2024

Uncertainty Propagation within Chained Models for Machine Learning Reconstruction of Neutrino-LAr Interactions

Sequential or chained models are increasingly prevalent in machine learning for scientific applications, due to their flexibility and ease of development. Chained models are particularly useful when a task is separable into distinct steps with a hierarchy of meaningful intermediate representations. In reliability-critical tasks, it is important to quantify the confidence of model inferences. However, chained models pose an additional challenge for uncertainty quantification, especially when input uncertainties need to be propagated. In such cases, a fully uncertainty-aware chain of models is required, where each step accepts a probability distribution over the input space, and produces a probability distribution over the output space. In this work, we present a case study for adapting a single model within an existing chain, designed for reconstruction within neutrino-Argon interactions, developed for neutrino oscillation experiments such as MicroBooNE, ICARUS, and the future DUNE experiment. We test the performance of an input uncertainty-enabled model against an uncertainty-blinded model using a method for generating synthetic noise. By comparing these two, we assess the increase in inference quality achieved by exposing models to upstream uncertainty estimates.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2020

A Measurement of the Total Hadronic $\pi^-$ on Argon Cross Section in the Kinetic Energy Range from 0.2-1 Giga-Electron Volts in a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber

The liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) technology offers fine-grained tracking along with excellent calorimetric and particle identification capabilities, making it a powerful tool for experimental neutrino physics. Thus, the LArTPC has become the technology of choice for studying neutrino oscillations over short ( 1000 km) baselines by experiments such as MicroBooNE, SBND, ICARUS, and DUNE. The LArIAT (Liquid Argon in a Test-beam) experiment exposes a LArTPC to a controlled beam of charged particles at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility to perform calibration studies and measurements of charged hadron-argon cross sections, with the goal of helping to reduce systematic uncertainties in LArTPC-based neutrino experiments. This work presents a measurement of the total hadronic π⁻-Ar cross section in the kinetic energy range from 0.2 GeV to 1 GeV, using data from the LArIAT experiment.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2021

Cross Section Results from the MicroBooNE Experiment

The MicroBooNE detector is currently the largest operating liquid argon neutrino experiment in the world. Located at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), MicroBooNE has been collecting both electron neutrino ($\nu _{e}$) and muon neutrino ($\nu _{\mu }$) interactions from both the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) and the Neutrino Main Injector (NuMI) since late 2015. During this time, MicroBooNE has measured a wide-variety of interaction topologies including $\nu _{\mu }$ charged current, $\nu _{e}$ charged current, resonant $\pi ^{0}$, and various high multiplicity interactions. To date, many of MicroBooNE’s measurements are either the first of their kind using liquid argon as a target material, or have the largest number of events collected using a liquid argon detector. All of these measurements combine to form a rich cross section programme, aiming to enhance understanding of GeV-range neutrino interaction on liquid argon for upcoming detectors such as SBND, ICARUS, and DUNE.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Cosmogenic background rejection for the sterile neutrino search with the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program Far Detector

As the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program Far Detector, the ICARUS liquid argon time-projection chamber will operate at shallow depth and therefore be exposed to the full surface flux of cosmic rays. This poses a problematic background to the sterile neutrino search. A direct way to reject this background is to surround the cryostat with a detector capable of tagging incident cosmic muons with high efficiency, the Cosmic Ray Tagging System (CRT). I have worked to develop the CRT detector hardware and the simulation and reconstruction software. This system, currently undergoing installation, is approximately 25% commissioned and taking data. I have developed a powerful method for cosmogenic background rejection utilizing the CRT and Photon Detection System. Results from a simulation based study, informed by CRT data, demonstrate the power of the technique in rejecting cosmogenic events with little adverse impact on the neutrino sample.

Hilgenberg, Christopher Michael↗

DOE OSTI2022

Comparing generator predictions of transverse kinematic imbalance in neutrino-argon scattering

The largest uncertainties in estimating neutrino-nucleus interaction cross sections lie in the incomplete understanding of nuclear effects. A powerful tool to study nuclear effects is Transverse Kinematic Imbalance. This paper presents the first detailed comparison of the predictions of multiple event generators for distributions associated with Transverse Kinematic Imbalance for neutrino interactions on argon. Predictions for muon neutrinos interacting with an argon target are obtained using four standard neutrino event generation tools (GENIE, NuWro, GiBUU and NEUT). Example opportunities for discrimination between nuclear models leveraging future measurements are highlighted. The predictions shown in this paper are motivated by studying muon neutrinos from the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam interacting at the location of the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber, but the methods directly apply to other accelerator-based liquid argon neutrino experiments such as SBND, ICARUS and DUNE.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

MicroBooNE Public Data Sets: a Collaborative Tool for LArTPC Software Development

Among liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) experiments MicroBooNE is the one that continually took physics data for the longest time (2015-2021), and represents the state of the art for reconstruction and analysis with this detector. Recently published analyses include oscillation physics results, searches for anomalies and other BSM signatures, and cross section measurements. LArTPC detectors are being used in current experiments such as ICARUS and SBND, and being planned for future experiments such as DUNE. MicroBooNE has recently released to the public two of its data sets, with the goal of enabling collaborative software developments with other LArTPC experiments and with AI or computing experts. These data sets simulate neutrino interactions on top of off-beam data, which include cosmic ray background and noise. The data sets are released in two formats: the native art/ROOT format used internally by the collaboration and familiar to other LArTPC experts, and the HDF5 format which contains reduced and simplified content and is suitable for usage by the broader community. This contribution presents the open data sets, discusses their motivation, the technical implementation, and the extensive documentation -- all inspired by FAIR principles. Finally, opportunities for collaborations are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Towards An Updated Simulation of the Booster Neutrino Beam

Precise, accurate neutrino flux predictions for neutrino beam experiments are crucial for physics results. Flux predictions for the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab were first published in 2009 by the MiniBooNE collaboration. It is no longer possible to run the simulation used to create these predictions due to outdated software versions. In this exciting period for the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program at Fermilab, with both the far detector (ICARUS) and the near detector (SBND) operating, an updated flux model for the BNB is necessary. For the purpose of using a dynamic, up-to-date beam model, the SBN program has created a new simulation named G4BNB. This framework contains new features, such as a full neutrino ancestry to handle hadron production systematics with more precision, and the inclusion of neutral mesons from the proton-beryllium scatter to allow the study of exotic BSM scenarios.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2024

Time resolved X-ray diffraction using the FIDDLE diagnostic at NIF: Preliminary assessment of diffraction precision

The Flexible Imaging Diffraction Diagnostic for Laser Experiments (FIDDLE) is a new diagnostic at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) designed to observe in situ solid-solid phase changes at high pressures using time resolved X-ray diffraction. FIDDLE currently incorporates five Icarus Ultrafast X-ray Imager sensors that take 2 ns snapshots and can be tuned to collect X-rays for tens of ns. The platform utilizes the laser power at NIF for both the laser drive and the generation of 10 keV X-rays for ~10 ns using a Ge backlighter foil. We aim to use FIDDLE to observe diffraction at different times during compression to probe the kinetics of phase changes. Pb undergoes two solid-solid phase transitions during ramp compression: from FCC to HCP and HCP to BCC. Results will be reported on some of the first shots using the FIDDLE diagnostic at NIF on ramp compressed Pb to a peak pressure of ~110 GPa and a single undriven CeO2 calibration shot. A discussion of the uncertainties in the observed diffraction is included.

Vennari, C. E.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Muon Time-of-Flight studies for cosmic background rejection in the Short Baseline Near Detector

The Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab is a cutting-edge project in experimental neutrino physics. One of its main goals is to systematically investigate the possible existence of eV-scale sterile neutrinos. This phenomenon has been hypothesized to explain some anomalies found in short-range experiments and, if confirmed, would imply a substantial extension of the Standard Model. SBN also offers an important opportunity to deepen the understanding of neutrino-nucleus interactions in the GeV energy range, through the use of Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPC) detectors, a fundamental technology also for the future DUNE experiment. The SBN experimental infrastructure consists of three detectors aligned along the Booster Neutrino Beamline at Fermilab. Among them, the detector located closest to the neutrino source, SBND (Short-Baseline Near Detector), positioned approximately 110 meters from the target, plays a key role in directly characterizing the initial neutrino flux. This allows for a direct comparison with the measurements from the far detector, ICARUS, located about 600 meters from the source, in order to search for potential signs of anomalous neutrino oscillations. My master's thesis focuses on the commissioning and characterization activities of the SBND detector, with particular reference to the Cosmic Ray Tagger (CRT). The CRT is a subsystem for identifying and rejecting events produced by cosmic rays, which constitute the main source of background for surface experiments like SBND. The activity began with the commissioning of the final components of the detector, as well as their validation to verify their correct functioning and signal acquisition. A central part of my work involved studying the veto efficiency of the CRT system, analyzing the rate of cosmic ray-induced events to quantify any loss of neutrino-induced events caused by cosmic background. This allowed for a more precise evaluation of the systematic impact of the CRT on the useful physics sample. A further phase of my analysis involved an in-depth study of the temporal correlation between the CRT signals and those acquired by the LArTPC's internal photodetector system, consisting of photomultiplier tubes and X-ARAPUCA devices. The objective is to explore the possibility of using combined temporal information as an additional criterion for discriminating between cosmic signals and signals genuinely due to neutrino interaction. Preliminary results indicate the presence of characteristic temporal signatures that could be exploited to improve event selection and increase the purity of the neutrino-induced sample. These methodologies will certainly contribute to the optimization of SBND analysis strategies and, more generally, to a better understanding of background mechanisms in next-generation LArTPC experiments.

Corallo, Annalea [Ferrara U.]↗