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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

A gamma-ray pulsar timing array constrains the nanohertz gravitational wave background

We report after large galaxies merge, their central supermassive black holes are expected to form binary systems. Their orbital motion should generate a gravitational wave background (GWB) at nanohertz frequencies. Searches for this background use pulsar timing arrays, which perform long-term monitoring of millisecond pulsars at radio wavelengths. We used 12.5 years of Fermi Large Area Telescope data to form a gamma-ray pulsar timing array. Results from 35 bright gamma-ray pulsars place a 95% credible limit on the GWB characteristic strain of 1.0 × 10 -14 at a frequency of 1 year –1 . The sensitivity is expected to scale with t obs , the observing time span, as t$^{-13/6}_{obs}$. This direct measurement provides an independent probe of the GWB while offering a check on radio noise models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Background identification in cryogenic calorimeters through $\alpha -\alpha$ delayed coincidences

Localization and modeling of radioactive contaminations is a challenge that ultra-low background experiments are constantly facing. These are fundamental steps both to extract scientific results and to further reduce the background of the detectors. Here we present an innovative technique based on the analysis of $\alpha -\alpha$ delayed coincidences in 232 Th and 238 U decay chains, developed to investigate the contaminations of the ZnSe crystals in the CUPID-0 experiment. This method allows to disentangle surface and bulk contaminations of the detectors relying on the different probability to tag delayed coincidences as function of the $\alpha$ decay position.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

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 ν¯ μ → ν¯ 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 ν¯ 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.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Study on the accidental background of the JSNS$^2$ experiment

JSNS 2 (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) is an experiment that searches for sterile neutrinos via the observation of $\overline{v}$ μ → $\overline{v}$ e appearance oscillations using muon decay-at-rest neutrinos. The JSNS 2 experiment performed data taking from 2021. In this manuscript, a study of the accidental background is presented. The rate of the accidental background is (9.29 ± 0.39) x 10 –8 /spill with 0.75 MW beam power and comparable to the expected number of signal events.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pulse shape discrimination technique for diffuse supernova neutrino background search with JUNO

Pulse shape discrimination (PSD) is widely used in particle and nuclear physics. Specifically in liquid scintillator detectors, PSD facilitates the classification of different particle types based on their energy deposition patterns. This technique is particularly valuable for studies of the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB), nucleon decay, and dark matter searches. This paper presents a detailed investigation of the PSD technique, applied in the DSNB search performed with the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO). Instead of using conventional cut-and-count methods, we employ methods based on boosted decision trees and neural networks and compare their capability to distinguish the DSNB signals from the atmospheric neutrino neutral-current background events. The two methods demonstrate comparable performance, resulting in a 50–80% improvement in signal efficiency compared to a previous study performed for JUNO (An et al. [JUNO] in J Phys G 43(3):030401, 2016). Moreover, we study the dependence of the PSD performance on the visible energy and final state composition of the events and find a significant dependence on the presence/absence of 11 C. Finally, we evaluate the impact of the detector effects (photon propagation, PMT dark noise, and waveform reconstruction) on the PSD performance.

FOS: Physical sciences↗
DOE OSTI2025

Estimation of backgrounds from jets misidentified as τ-leptons using the Universal Fake Factor method with the ATLAS detector

Processes with τ$$\tau $$-leptons in the final state are important for Standard Model measurements and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider observes τ$$\tau $$-leptons produced in proton–proton collisions only through their decay products. Data analyses involving hadronically decaying τ$$\tau $$-leptons face challenges due to backgrounds from jets misidentified as τ$$\tau $$-leptons that are not modelled reliably by Monte Carlo simulations. Data-driven methods such as the fake-factor method allow such misidentified backgrounds to be predicted by measuring transfer factors, known as fake factors, in data from dedicated regions. This paper describes a refined technique for determining the fake factors, the Universal Fake Factor method. It evaluates the fake factors for a signal region by using fake factors from samples enriched in different sources of jets misidentified as τ$$\tau $$-leptons (light-quark, gluon, b-quark, and pile-up jets). Each fake factor is calculated as a linear combination of fake factors measured in these different enriched samples. For the full Run 2 data set, the systematic uncertainty of the calculated fake factors, evaluated using W(μν)$$W(\mu u )$$ enriched event sample, ranges from 15 to 35% depending on the τ$$\tau $$-lepton’s transverse momentum and charged-particle decay multiplicity.

Aad, G↗
DOE OSTI2025

Low-Energy Backgrounds in Solid-State Phonon and Charge Detectors

Solid-state phonon and charge detectors probe the scattering of weakly interacting particles, such as dark matter and neutrinos, through their low recoil thresholds. Recent advancements have pushed sensitivity to eV-scale energy depositions, uncovering previously unseen low-energy excess backgrounds. While some arise from known processes such as thermal radiation, luminescence, and stress, others remain unexplained. This review examines these backgrounds, their possible origins, and parallels to low-energy effects in solids, an understanding of which is essential for interpreting particle interactions at and below the eV scale.

coherent neutrino–nucleus scattering↗
DOE OSTI2023

Background Adaptive Radiation Detection (BARD) v1.0.0

The Background Adaptive Radiation Software can be deployed with static sensors in urban environments. It provides a real-time robust radiation detection based on a unique adaptive learning approach. Local radiation background models are automatically learnt for various environmental conditions, and monitored/re-trained, and selected over time for optimal radiation anomaly detection, informed by source templates directly derived from the data.

Abgrall, Nicolas↗
DOE OSTI2026

BOS Gas Detection Pipeline (Integrated System for Optical Hydrogen Detection Using Background Oriented Schlieren and Machine Learning) [SWR-26-007]

This software is the world's first integrated background oriented schlieren and machine learning-based leak detection system. The system provides real time visualization of gas leaks and machine learning interpenetration of leak severity. The software is supplemented by SWR-25-177, "gpu_piv (Graphics Processing Unit Accelerated Background Oriented Schlieren Algorithm", also developed by the National Laboratory of the Rockies. SEE DOECODE ID 182832.

Palin, Ian [National Laboratory of the Rockies (NL↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis Background & Noise in Stretched Wire Alignment Technique Measurements

The Stretched-Wire Alignment Technique (SWAT) is one method of magnet alignment for linear induction accelerators. The applications of SWAT have been implemented for aligning solenoid magnets on the Scorpius linear induction accelerator which will be sited at the Nevada National Security Site and the Flash X-Ray (FXR) linear induction accelerator at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Contained Firing Facility. This article describes both systematic (repeatable) and random sources of background and noise as well as practical ways to eliminate or reduce them to acceptable levels. Systematic sources include reflections from wire ends, rapid sag due to ohmic heating of the wire, magnetic materials, and shot rate. Random sources include air currents, vibration of nearby equipment, mechanical stability of test equipment, and the instruments used to measure the wire motion. Mitigations include curve fitting and adaptive noise signal cancellation, and mechanical damping. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was used to identify and resolve a repeatable wire vibration frequency interfering with the signal resolution. Two stretched wire alignment technique set ups from Sandia National Labs and Lawrence Livermore National Lab have shown background noise sources and ways of mitigating them by either analysis methods or change of mechanical configuration. Conclusions that were drawn included the severe sensitivity of the deflection to even small external interferences of the SWAT wire such that it requires attention to detail in mechanical set up and analysis.

Linear Inductive Accelerator↗
DOE OSTI2021

The Role of Background Meridional Moisture Gradient on the Propagation of the MJO over the Maritime Continent

This study investigates the role of the background meridional moisture gradient (MMG) on the propagation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) across the Maritime Continent (MC) region. It is found that the interannual variability of the seasonal mean MMG over the southern MC area is associated with the meridional expansion and contraction of the moist area in the vicinity of the MC. Sea surface temperature anomalies associated with relatively high and low seasonal mean MMG exhibit patterns that resemble those of El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Therefore, by contrasting the years with anomalously low and high MMG, we show that MJO propagation through the MC is enhanced (suppressed) in years with higher (lower) seasonal mean MMG, although the effect is less robust when MMG anomalies are weak. Column-integrated moisture budget analysis further shows that sufficiently large MMG anomalies affect MJO activity by modulating the meridional advection of the mean moisture via MJO wind anomalies. Our results suggest that the background moisture distribution has a strong control over the propagation characteristics of the MJO in the MC region.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Reduction in radioactivity-induced backgrounds using a novel active veto detector for rare event search experiments

The results of a newly developed annular cryogenic phonon-mediated active veto detector are discussed which shows a significant reduction of radioactivity-induced backgrounds in rare event search experiments. The veto detector is made up of germanium weighing ∼500 g with an outer diameter of 76 mm and an inner diameter of 28 mm. The detector can host a 25 mm diameter germanium inner target detector of mass ∼10 g. A GEANT4 simulation with the active veto and inner target detector shows a gamma background reduction of 50 - 80% which is further improved (> 90%) with 4pi veto coverage. Experimental measurements with the detector assembly agree well with the simulation.

Chaudhuri, Mouli↗
DOE OSTI2021

Measuring Electron Diffusion and Constraining the Neutral Current $\pi^0$ Background for Single-Photon Events in MicroBooNE

Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) are a rising technology in the field of experimental neutrino physics. LArTPCs use ionization electrons and scintillation light to reconstruct neutrino interactions with exceptional calorimetric and position resolution capabilities. Here, I present two analyses conducted in the MicroBooNE LArTPC at Fermilab: a measurement of the longitudinal electron diffusion coefficient, $D_L$, in the MicroBooNE detector and a constraint of the systematic uncertainty on MicroBooNE's single-photon analysis due to the dominant neutral current (NC) \piz{} background. Longitudinal electron diffusion modifies the spatial and timing resolution of the detector, and measuring it will help correct for these effects. Furthermore, current measurements of $D_L$ in liquid argon are sparse and in tension with one another, making the MicroBooNE measurement especially valuable. We report a measurement of $3.74^{+0.28}_{-0.29}$ cm$^2$/s. MicroBooNE is searchin g for si ngle-photon events as a potential explanation for the MiniBooNE low-energy excess (LEE) of electron neutrino-like events, which has been interpreted as evidence for low-mass sterile neutrinos. However, this search is overwhelmed by a large NC \piz{} background. By performing a sideband selection of NC \piz{} events, we apply a data-driven rate constraint to the single-photon analysis to reduce the systematic uncertainties. At present, this constraint improves the single-photon analysis' median sensitivity to the LEE-like signal from 0.9$\sigma$ to $1.5\sigma$. This sensitivity is expected to improve significantly as more data become available. Both of these measurements will not only benefit MicroBooNE, but also inform future LArTPC experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Monte Carlo Simulation of Background and Source Measurements with CSG and CAD Geometries

Detecting radioactive sources in an urban environment is difficult due to the large magnitude and variability of the background radiation. To support the search mission of the National Nuclear Security Administration, a project was undertaken to determine if first-principles modeling and simulation could be used to accurately predict the response of radiation detectors in urban environments. This study demonstrates that the simulated detector responses to photon radiation from both an isotopic source and the background compare well to benchmark-quality measurements in a large urban-like test environment. Simulation results using a traditional combinatorial solid geometry and a CAD model generated from LiDAR measurements gave very similar detector responses. With this validation, further simulations could be used to predict detector responses for various situations in real urban settings.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Separating beam-induced and cosmogenic muon backgrounds in the ICARUS detector

Due to high cosmic ray flux near the earth's surface, the rejection of cosmogenic muon backgrounds is a preeminent concern for particle detectors using Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) technology. One such detector, ICARUS of the short baseline neutrino experiment, also observes muons generated from neutrino interactions with nuclei in the surrounding rock. Our analysis exploits the differences between cosmogenic and rock-generated muons to separate rock-generated muons from the background. We develop a selection with 96.5\% efficiency and 81\% accuracy. Use of this selection on data and Monte-Carlo indicates monte-carlo may underestimate the true rock muon flux. These results have implications for calibration of the ICARUS detector and tuning of simulation.

Wells, David↗
DOE OSTI2024

Background simulations for DANCE, FP-14 considering the Mark IV spallation target

With the installation of the Mark-IV target at LANSCE in 2022 significant changes of the beam-related backgrounds at DANCE are observed. DANCE is located at flight path 14 (FP-14) in the experimental area 2 (ER-2) at LANSCE. This new background is so severe that the array is not operational for several microseconds after the protons hit the spallation target (Figures 1 - 3).

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cosmic Background Rejection of the ICARUS experiment at Fermilab

The Short Baseline Neutrino program at Fermilab aims to explore significant regions of parameter space, applicable to sterile neutrinos at the eV mass scale, as suggested by existing experimental anomalies. To this purpose it exploits Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber detectors located along the Booster Neutrino Beamline to measure both νe appearance and νµ disappearance: the Short Baseline Neutrino Detector and the ICARUS-T600 detector at 110 and 600 m from the neutrino source, respectively. The ICARUS T-600 Far Detector, located at shallow depth, is surrounded by a Cosmic Ray Tagger system to mitigate the cosmic ray background. On average ~ 11 muon tracks are expected to cross the detector during the ~ 1 ms drift time. The cosmic ray tagger is composed of plastic scintillator bars, ensuring near 4π coverage of the detector aiming at tagging cosmic muons and thus reject 𝛾s produced by muon interactions in the surrounding materials that can generate an electromagnetic showers mimicking a νe signal. The system allows one to disentangle cosmic rays from particles originated in a neutrino interaction inside the detector by measuring their position and crossing time. A synchronization of the cosmic ray tagger with the ICARUS photon detection system with a nanosecond accuracy allows one to reject cosmic particles recorded during the beam spill and thus select an enriched sample of neutrino triggered events ahead of the event reconstruction. An overview of the cosmic ray tagger system as well as its role in the neutrino events identification and cosmic background rejection will be presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Diffuse neutrino background from past core collapse supernovae

Core collapse supernovae are among the most powerful explosions in the Universe, which emit thermal neutrinos that carry away most of the gravitational binding energy released. These neutrinos produce a diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB), which is one of the largest energy budgets among all radiation backgrounds. Detecting the DSNB is an important goal of modern high-energy astrophysics and particle physics, which provides valuable insights into core collapse modeling, neutrino physics, and cosmic supernova rate history. In this review, the key ingredients of DSNB calculation and what can be learned from future detections, including black hole formation and non-standard neutrino interactions are discussed. Moreover, an overview of the latest updates in neutrino experiments, which could lead to the detection of the DSNB in the next decade, is provided. With the promise of this breakthrough discovery on the horizon, the study of DSNB has great potential to further our understanding of the Universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗