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DOE OSTI2026

Mu2e Target Thermal Test Project

The Mu2e experiment requires a production target capable of operating under extreme thermal conditions caused by an 8 GeV proton beam. This project’s objective supports the development of the Mu2e Production Target by testing the Stickman model’s thermal behavior. To test this, Angel Flores Luviano has assisted Jonathan Williams in progressing this project by contributing to the development of a Radiative Cooling Test Fixture (RCTF) that will be used to evaluate the thermal behavior of the new production target model. Engineering calculations were performed to analyze thermal performance and pressure drop within the cold well and water cooling circuit, and determine optimal sizing for key components of the water system. An engineering note was made to document the calculations. CAD models of the water circuit piping, thermocouple mount, and radiator chimney were developed, and prototype test rig components were fabricated using 3D printing. Future work will focus on conti nued RCTF development which includes control system integration, heater hardware design, and interfaces that can be scaled up to increase thermal capacity.

Luviano, Angel Flores [Unlisted]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Mu2e Production Target Thermal Test Project

The Mu2e experiment requires a production target that is capable of operating under extreme thermal conditions caused by an 8 GeV proton beam. This project’s objective supports the development of the Mu2e Pro- duction Target by testing the Stickman model’s thermal behavior. Angel Flores Luviano has assisted Jonathan Williams in progressing this project by contributing to the development of a Radiative Cooling Test Fixture (RCTF) that will be used to evaluate the thermal behavior of the new production target model. Engineering calculations were performed to an- alyze thermal performance and pressure drop within the cold well and wa- ter cooling circuit. These calculations also determined the optimal sizing for key components of the water system. An engineering note was made to document these calculations. CAD models of the water circuit piping, thermocouple mounting bars, and radiator chimney were developed, and prototype test rig components were fabricated using 3D printing. Future work will focus on continued RCTF development which includes control system integration, heater hardware design, and interfaces that can be scaled up to increase thermal capacity.

Flores Luviano, Angel Augusto [Unlisted, US]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Advancing \textit{otsdaq}: Enhancements for Usability, Accuracy, and Robustness

High-energy physics (HEP) experiments require data acquisition (DAQ) systems that can orchestrate complex detector operations, high data throughput, and responsive, real-time feedback to operators. Traditional DAQ stacks, which are often bespoke, command-line driven and highly specific, impose large learning curves on users. The Off-The-Shelf Data Acquisition (\textit{otsdaq}) framework was created to address these issues by offering a highly customizable and scalable browser-based ’desktop’ environment, in which experiment-specific control and monitoring applications can be easily deployed and integrated. Although the initial development of the \textit{otsdaq} software was aimed at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility, \textit{otsdaq} is now being leveraged for broader deployment, including the upcoming Mu2e experiment, where real-time monitoring of field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based Data Transfer Controllers (DTCs), Clock and Fanout (CFO) boards, and several other subsystems are critical. We contribute a set of targeted improvements to \textit{otsdaq}: bitmap visualization functionality for configured data, improved and corrected delta-based DTC throughput metrics, version control (VC)-backed source navigation for console messages, custom navigation hooks to eliminate disruptive user interface glitches, and copy-to-clipboard support for macro execution history. These changes improve usability, reduce debugging time, and increase accuracy in performance data as Mu2e moves toward commissioning.

Mohammed, A. [Unlisted, US]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Fast Muon Capture Monitoring in Mu2e with the CAPHRI Detector

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for the charged lepton flavor violating (CLFV) process of a neutrinoless muon-to-electron conversion in the field of an aluminum nucleus. Reaching the experiment’s target sensitivity requires precise normalization of the physics signal through accurate monitoring of the muon capture rate on the stopping target. For this purpose, the Calorimeter Precise High-Resolution Intensity detector (CAPHRI) has been developed. The detector is composed of four LYSO crystals installed in the upstream disk of the Mu2e calorimeter and read out with the standard calorimeter readout. CAPHRI measures the muon capture rate by detecting the characteristic 1.8~MeV gamma emission line of the $^{27}Al(\mu^−, \nu n \gamma) ^{26}Mg$ nuclear reaction. The fast, precise response enables injection-by-injection monitoring of proton beam intensity fluctuations. We report on the commissioning and performance characterization of CAPHRI. The response of each channel is calibrated at two SiPM overvoltages using both the intrinsic self-emission of the LYSO crystals and cosmic ray signals. In parallel, Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the detector acceptance and the expected signal-to-background ratio under realistic running conditions. Preliminary results show a crystal light yield consistent with expectations and a channel inter-calibration at the 2--4% level. Simulation studies indicate that the detector acceptance and background rejection satisfy the requirements for physics operations, with about 1000 detected events per beam injection at a beam power of 1.5~kW. These results demonstrate that CAPHRI is an effective tool for beam monitoring and signal normalization in Mu2e.

Ciccarella, V. [Frascati; U. Rome La Sapienza (mai↗

DOE OSTI2024

Mu2e: Probing the Frontiers of Physics Using Muons

The absence of any signature for new physics beyond the standard model at the Large Hadron Collider has left the field of elementary particle physics in a quandary. We know there is new physics out there: where best to look for it? Searches for certain rare processes provide ultrasensitive probes for new physics and can reach mass scales unobtainable by any conceivable accelerator, present or imagined. We describe such an experiment, Mu2e, that intends to use a novel technique to search for new physics through lepton flavor violation in muon decays with a sensitivity of a factor of 10,000 over existing limits.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Fermilab 2025 Summer Internship Skills Learned from Working with Mu2e Tracker Team

As part of a DOE RENEW Grant, the undergraduate authors interned at Fermilab. They spent nine weeks over summer 2025 working on the tracker team for the Mu2e experiment. They gained practical experience in a multitude of new skills including electronics installation, testing, and repairs. Their work particularly increased productivity by helping repair the high voltage and calibration pre-amplifiers, over 20,000 of which are needed in the tracker. These components are very fragile and often break during the installation process. The experience also taught them several soft skills such as the importance of thoughtful data storage, record- keeping, and problem-solving skills. They learned the demands of a large, international collaboration and how to work in a team. The authors would like to acknowledge their advisor and PI of the grant, Dr. Christopher G. Fasano, and the Mu2e team lead by co- spokesperson Dr. Bob Bernstein and tracker L2 manager Dr. Brendan Kiburg.

de Zwart, Brontë↗

DOE OSTI2025

The Mu2e Calorimeter

The EM CsI crystals and SiPM readout calorimeter of the Mu2e experiment is fully assembled, with all components completed and tested; the mechanical structure is fully built, with a complete integration and test of all the analog sensors and electronics. The digital electronics is being produced and installed. We summarise the Calorimeter characteristics and the assembly status, as well as the move, installation and commissioning plans of the final disks in the Mu2e hall.

Borrel, L. [Caltech]↗

DOE OSTI2024

Multi-track event reconstruction to constrain the p ̄ background in Mu2e

Mu2e experiment will search for the neutrinoless, coherent conversion of μ − → e − in the field of an Al nucleus. One of the expected backgrounds is p ̄ ’s annihilating in the stopping target to produce signal-like e − ’s. Although not a dominant background, it has a large uncertainty and cannot be suppressed by the timing cuts used to reduce the prompt background. However, at Mu2e energies, p p ̄ annihilation is the only source of events with multiple, simultaneous particles coming from the stopping target. We utilized this unique feature and developed a novel way to reconstruct multi-track events and estimate the p ̄ background.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Advancing $otsdaq$ for Optimized Data Acquisition

High-energy physics (HEP) experiments demand data acquisition (DAQ) systems capable of orchestrating complex detector operations, high data throughput, and responsive, real-time feedback. Traditional systems often have steep learning curves, making onboarding difficult for new users. The Off-The-Shelf Data Acquisition $otsdaq$ framework was developed to address these issues by providing a modular and flexible interface that is easier to operate while remaining customizable enough for experimental setups. As the upcoming Mu2e experiment prepares for deployment, improving stability, usability, and performance has become increasingly critical. Our work enhances $otsdaq$ with features that streamline visualization, correct data metrics, improve debugging workflows, and stabilize the user interface.

Mohammed, Ali (ORCID:0009000860386626)↗

DOE OSTI2025

A data-driven method to estimate the antiproton background in Mu2e

The Mu2e experiment will search for the CLFV process of neutrinoless, coherent conversion of muon to electron in the field of an Al nucleus. One of the expected backgrounds is antiprotons produced by the proton beam at the Production Target and annihilating in the Stopping Target to produce signal-like electrons. Although not a dominant background, it has a large uncertainty and cannot be suppressed by the timing cuts used to reduce the prompt background. However, at Mu2e energies, $p\bar{p}$ annihilation is the only source of events with multiple, simultaneous particles coming from the Stopping Target. We utilized this unique feature and developed a novel approach to reconstruct multi-track events and estimate the antiproton background.

Chithirasreemadam, Namitha [Pisa U.; INFN, Pisa]↗

DOE OSTI2025

A data-driven method to estimate the antiproton background in Mu2e

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab will search for the Charged Lepton Flavour Violating (CLFV) process of neutrinoless conversion of muon to electron in the field of an Al nucleus. The experimental signature is a monochromatic 104.97 MeV conversion electron. One of the expected backgrounds to the conversion electron search is antiprotons produced by the proton beam at the Production Target and annihilating in the Stopping Target (ST). The background expected from antiprotons is low but highly uncertain due to the uncertainty in the antiproton production cross section for the Mu2e beam energy in the relevant angular region. Antiprotons are significantly slower than the other beam particles, so they cannot be efficiently suppressed by the time window cut used to reduce the prompt background. At Mu2e energies, antiproton annihilation at rest in the ST is the only source of events with multiple, simultaneous particle trajectories. We utilized this unique feature and developed a novel way to reconstruct the multi-track events and estimate the antiproton background in situ.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

A data-driven method to constrain the $\bar{p}$ background in Mu2e

The Mu2e experiment will search for the charged lepton flavour violating process of neutrinoless coherent muon to electron conversion in the field of an Al nucleus. The expected signal is a 104.97 MeV/c electron. One of the expected backgrounds is due to ¯ps produced by the proton beam at the Production Target and annihilating in the Stopping Target (ST). The background from ¯p annihilation is not a dominant one, but it has a large uncertainty and it cannot be suppressed by the timing cuts used to reduce the prompt background. However at Mu2e energies, p¯p annihilation is the only source of events with multiple simultaneous tracks coming from the ST. We exploit this unique feature and reconstruct the multi-track events to estimate the ¯p background.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Design and assembling status of the Mu2e electromagnetic calorimeter mechanical structures

The muon-to-electron conversion (Mu2e) experiment at Fermilab will search for the Charged Lepton Flavour Violating neutrino-less coherent conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus. The observation of this process would be the unambiguous evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. The detector has been designed as a state-of-the-art crystal calorimeter and employs 1348 pure Cesium Iodide (CsI) crystals readout by UV-extended silicon photosensors and fast front-end and digitization electronics. A design consisting of two identical annular matrices (named disks ) positioned at the relative distance of 70 cm, downstream the aluminum target along the muon beamline, satisfies the Mu2e physics requirements. The hostile Mu2e operational conditions, in terms of radiation levels (total ionizing dose of 12 krad and a neutron fluence of 5 10^{10} n/cm2 @ 1 MeVeq (Si)/y), magnetic field intensity (1 T) and vacuum level (10−4 Torr) have posed tight constraints on the design of the detector mechanical structures and materials choice. The support structure of the two 674 crystal matrices employs two aluminum hollow rings and parts made of open- cell vacuum-compatible carbon fiber. The photosensors and service front-end electronics for each crystal are assembled in a unique mechanical unit inserted in a machined copper holder. The 674 units are supported by a machined plate made of vacuum-compatible plastic material. The plate also integrates the cooling system made of a network of copper lines flowing a low temperature radiation-hard fluid and placed in thermal con- tact with the copper holders. The data acquisition electronics is hosted in aluminum custom crates positioned on the external lateral surface of the two disks. The crates also integrate the electronics cooling system. In this poster we will review the constraints on the calorimeter mechanical structures, the technological choices, and the status of assembling at Fermilab.

Pasciuto, D.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Fermilab 2025 Summer Internship: Repairing Pre-Amplifiers with Mu2e Electronics Installation Team

The author spent nine weeks over summer 2025 working on the tracker electronics installation team for the Mu2e experiment. One of her main responsibilities was repairing high voltage (HV) and calibration (Cal) pre-amplifiers (pre-amps). During installation, the fragile wires connecting the two sockets to the pre-amp board must be bent, often leading to breakage. During production, the sockets and wires were initially soldered to the board at UC Berkely, then the whole pre-amp was coated in parylene before transport to Fermilab. The interns were able to expedite the repairs, and thus whole installation process, by using an alternative method on-site with epoxy. Another task they were responsible for, not included in the original project specifications, was attaching copper clips to specific vias on the Cals to reduce noise. The talk will give listeners insight into the daily problem-solving required by the novel technologies in the Mu2e project. The author would like to acknowledge her fellow Monmouth College undergraduate interns, Lizzie Durfee and Gianna Maughan, advisor and PI of the DOE RENEW Grant Dr. Christopher G. Fasano, and the Mu2e team lead by co-spokesperson Dr. Bob Bernstein and tracker L2 manager Dr. Brendan Kiburg.

de Zwart, Bronte [Monmouth Coll.]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Extinction Monitoring of Pulsed Proton Beams Using FPGA-Based Peak Detection

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab imposes stringent requirements on the elimination of out-of-time beam in its pulsed proton beam - a requirement known as "extinction". We present a method to measure the out-of-time particle rates to calculate the level of extinction in the inter-pulse gaps. The proposed method utilizes an array of quartz Cherenkov radiators and photomultiplier tubes to detect particles scattered from a vacuum chamber in the M4 transfer beamline at Fermilab.The measurement will employ a new μTCA-based FPGA system for data acquisition and signal processing, utilizing real-time peak detection algorithms to count scattered beam particles. By integrating data over many transfers, the time profile of the out-of-time beam will be resolved to fractional levels relative to that of the in-time beam. These results are compared with G4beamline simulations to validate models of beam transport, dynamics, and extinction, providing critical input for optimizing beam delivery to Mu2e.

Hensley, Ryan [UC, Davis]↗

DOE OSTI2025

Performance studies of the Mu2e cosmic ray veto detector

The cosmic ray veto (CRV) detector of the Mu2e experiment consists of four layers of plastic scintillation counters that surround the detector solenoid. These counters are embedded with wavelength-shifting fibers and are read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The performance of a subset of the CRV counters was studied in a cosmic-ray test stand. Here, using data taken over a two-year period, we report the single-layer muon detection efficiency and the rate at which the light yield degrades due to the aging of the plastic scintillation counters.

Aging↗

DOE OSTI2025

Flavor-changing Lorentz and CPT violation in muonic atoms

Flavor-changing signatures of Lorentz and CPT violation involving muon-electron conversions in muonic atoms are studied using effective field theory. Constraints on coefficients for Lorentz violation at parts in 10 -12 GeV −1 for flavor-changing electromagnetic muon decays and parts in 10 -13 GeV −2 for flavor-changing 4-point quark-lepton interactions are extracted using existing data from the SINDRUM II experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. Estimates are provided for sensitivities attainable in the forthcoming experiments Mu2e at Fermilab and COMET at the Japan Proton Accelerator Complex.

Alan Kostelecký, V. [Indiana Univ., Bloomington, I↗

DOE OSTI2026

Calculating beam extinction in a pulsed proton beam using FPGA-based peak detection

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab imposes stringent requirements on the elimination of out-of-time beam in its pulsed proton beam, a requirement known as “extinction”. Utilizing a new μTCA-based FPGA data acquisition system, we recorded live particle data from scattered particles incident on an array of quartz Cherenkov radiators and photomultiplier tubes to measure the extinction in the inter-pulse gaps in the pulsed proton beam. Minuscule errors in the derived signal period can make a measurement of the extinction impossible, so after taking a Fourier transform, further optimizations on the period were done based on the assumption that the signal period is stable over the full time of the beam spill while it is being resonantly extracted. After these optimizations, the beam extinction was shown to be on the level of 10^3.

Hensley, Ryan [UC, Davis]↗