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DOE OSTI2021

Final Design and Current Status of the Mu2e Crystal Calorimeter

The Mu2e experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory will search for the CLFV neutrino-less conversion of a negative muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus. The Mu2e design has been studied to improve the single event sensitivity of four orders of magnitude with respect to the previous experiments and provide an indirect probe for New Physics energy scales up to thousands TeV. Mu2e is composed of a tracker, an electromagnetic calorimeter, and an external veto for cosmic rays. The calorimeter provides a powerful particle identification and an online trigger while operating in a harsh environment. We report on the status of the calorimeter components production, the quality assurance tests, and the tests performed with a reduced-scale prototype.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

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

Multi-track reconstruction algorithm in the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment, under construction at Fermilab, will search for the neutrino-less coherent $\mu^-N\rightarrow e^-N$ conversion in the field of a $^{27}$Al nucleus. Such a process violates lepton flavor conservation. About $60\%$ of muons stopped by an $^{27}$Al nucleus will undergo nuclear capture, while about $40\%$ will decay in orbit. To quantify the conversion probability, we define $R_{\mu e}$, which is given by the ratio between the $\mu^-\rightarrow e^-$ conversion rate and the nuclear capture rate [1]: \begin{equation} R_{\mu e}= \frac{\Gamma\left(\mu^- + N\left(Z,A\right)\rightarrow e^- + N\left(Z,A\right)\right)}{\Gamma\left(\mu^- + N\left(Z,A\right)\rightarrow \nu^-_\mu + N\left(Z-1,A\right)\right)}\,. \end{equation} The upper limit on $R_{\mu e}$ is $7\cdot 10^{-13}$ at $90\%$ CL, set by the SINDRUM II experiment~\cite{SINDRUM II:limit}. The goal of the Mu2e experiment is to reach a sensitivity on $R_{\mu e}$ of $8\cdot 10^{-17}$ at $90\%$ CL. This represents a four-order of magnitude improvement over the current experimental limit. Mu2e will take its first data in 2027. The signature for the muon conversion is a monochromatic electron of $104.97$~\si{\mega\eV}/c, an energy slightly below the muon rest mass. While the main experiment goal is to reconstruct the conversion electron, i.e., an event with a single track, there are motivations to develop an efficient tracking algorithm for reconstructing more simultaneous tracks. This could better constrain the background generated by $p\bar{p}$-annihilation in the Al target and to search for other Beyond the Standard Model processes. In this paper, we present an algorithm designed to reconstruct multi-particle events.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2026

Bent Crystal Channeling for Optimized Beam Shadowing and Proton Extraction at Mu2e

The Mu2e experiment is designed to investigate the CLFV through the observation of a neutrinoless muon-to-electron conversion in the field of an Al nucleus. The observation of such a process would be clear evidence of physics beyond the standard model. Due to the rarity of this process, a cutting-edge, intense muon beam is required to achieve an improvement of the current single-event sensitivity by 4 orders of magnitude. To achieve this goal, a primary proton beam with 8 GeV is extracted from the Fermilab Delivery Ring using the slow resonant extraction technique. Mu2e requires ~3.6x10$^{20}$ protons-on-target to meet its goal; hence, it is crucial to minimize the extraction losses. An important source of such losses are the particles impacting on the electrostatic septum blade. A very promising solution to the problem lies in the beam shadowing scheme tested at CERN SPS. In this approach, a bent crystal is strategically placed upstream of the septum, deflecting particles from the blade at a precise angle via the phenomenon of channeling. As a result, a zone with reduced particle flux is created downstream of the crystal, safeguarding the septum anode by minimizing interactions with the beam. This work explores the optimization of beam shadowing design and the process in the manufacturing and characterization of the bent crystal sample. It emphasizes the promising role of channeling in bent crystals, and it underscores the significant potential of channeling in bent crystals to assist the Mu2e experiment.

Fedeli, Pierluigi [Ferrara U.; INFN, Ferrara] (ORC↗

DOE OSTI2019

The Mu2e Experiment

The Mu2e experiment will search for the charged-lepton flavor violating (CLFV) neutrino-less conversion of a negative muon into an electron in the field of a nucleus. The conversion process results in a monochromatic electron with an energy of 104.97 MeV, slightly below the muon rest mass. The goal of the experiment is to improve the previous upper limit by four orders of magnitude and reach a SES (single event sensitivity) of $3 \times 10^{-17}$ on the conversion rate, a 90% CL of $8 \times 10^{-17}$, and a $5\sigma$ discovery reach at $2 \times 10^{-16}$. The experiment will use an intense pulsed negative muon beam. The pulsed beam is essential to reducing backgrounds. The other essential element is a sophisticated magnetic system composed of three consecutive solenoids that form the muon beam. Mu2e will use an aluminum target and examine $\sim10^{18}$ stopped muons in three years of running. The Mu2e experiment is under design and construction at the Fermilab Muon Campus. The experiment will begin operations in 2022 and will require about three years of data-taking. Upgrades to other materials than aluminum are already being planned. This article is written specifically for younger researchers to bridge the gap between conference presentations and detailed design reports, and examines issues not covered in the former without the details of the latter.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2014

Target Station Design for the Mu2e Experiment

The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab is devoted to search for the conversion of a negative muon into an electron in the field of a nucleus without emission of neutrinos. One of the main parts of the Mu2e experimental setup is its Target Station in which negative pions are generated in interactions of the 8-GeV primary proton beam with a tungsten target. A large-aperture 5-T superconducting production solenoid (PS) enhances pion collection, and an S-shaped transport solenoid (TS) delivers muons and pions to the Mu2e detector. The heat and radiation shield (HRS) protects the PS and the first TS coils. A beam dump absorbs the spent beam. In order for the PS superconducting magnet to operate reliably the sophisticated HRS was designed and optimized for performance and cost. The beam dump was designed to absorb the spent beam and maintaining its temperature and air activation in the hall at the allowable level. Comprehensive MARS15 simulations have been carried out to optimize all the parts while maximizing muon yield. Results of simulations of critical radiation quantities and their implications on the overall Target Station design and integration will be reported.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2019

Passive Absorbers for Maximizing the Performance of the Mu2e-II Experiment

The Fermilab’s Mu2e experiment is designed to search for Charged Lepton Flavour Violation in direct, neutrinoless conversion of a muon into an electron in the presence of a nuclear electromagnetic field. The quantity, which is observed is the ratio between the rate of the above BSM (Beyond Standard Model) conversion reaction and the rate of muon capture on the nucleus. The measurement precision is expected to reach up to 10 -17 [1]. Mu2e-II is the name for the second phase of the experiment, which is planned to run with the lower energy, higher intensity primary proton beam provided by the PIP-II [2] accelerator, currently under construction. Ionization cooling with a wedge absorber is introduced into Mu2e-II setup to potentially increase the number of low momentum muons reaching the target. A study is made into the position and size of the wedge inside the beamline using G4Beamline simulation framework. Results show an increase up to 12% for muons with momentum P below 30 MeV/c and 7% for muons with P <40 MeV/c when the beam is measured right after the wedge. Further studies are necessary to investigate how this gain can be delivered to the stopping target.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2019

A Search for Charged Lepton Flavor Violation in the Mu2e Experiment

The Mu2e experiment will search for the neutrino-less conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus. An observation would be the first signal of charged-lepton flavor violation and de facto evidence for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The clean signature of the conversion process offers an opportunity for a powerful search: Mu2e will probe four orders of magnitude beyond current limits, with real discovery potential over a wide range of well motivated new physics models. This goal requires an integrated system of solenoids that will create the most intense muon beam in the world, and suppression of all possible background sources. The Mu2e components are currently being constructed, with the experiment planned to begin operations in the Fermilab Muon Campus within the next few years.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2015

Inductance studies for the Quench Protection system of the Mu2e TS solenoids

This is a preliminary study on the solenoids for the Mu2e experiment. An overview of the Mu2e solenoids is first provided. Then the two solenoid prototypes were tested in the Fermilab Central Helium Liquefying facility. My analysis is focused on measuring and modeling the inductance (self and mutual) of the magnets. This aspect is crucial for Quench Detection Systems and for the control parameters of the power supply driving the magnets. During the first part of my experience at Fermilab, I worked on mathematical mod- els for the magnets to understand their expected behavior. A geometric model based on the Neumann formula was developed and implemented for inductance calculations. This model estimates the inductance (self and mu- tual) of all the Mu2e solenoids. A finite element magnetic model for the two prototype magnets was developed to compare to the results of the geometric model. In the second part of my study I collected measurements on the real Transport Solenoid prototypes. T he solenoids were powered in different configurations in order to identify the circuit model and its parameters. These experiments were first carried on the warm magnets and then on the magnets at a cryo- genic temperature. This allows for a comparison between room temperature and superconducting state.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2023

Beam-Based Target Alignment for Mu2e

The Mu2e Experiment is a precision experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, searching for charged lepton flavor violation (CLFV) in the conversion of a muon to an electron in the presence of an atomic nucleus. In order to achieve the expected single-event sensitivity of $3\times 10^{-17}$ , Mu2e will require an intense muon beam, generated via pion decay. These pions are the product of a proton beam striking a radiatively-cooled tungsten target. In order to maximize pion production and prevent target failure, the beam will have to be aligned with the target center to within 0.5 mm. The production target monitor (PTM) will ensure this alignment. The PTM consists of a series of proportional wire chambers (PWC’s) upstream and downstream of the production target. In this dissertation, I explain the requirements of this detector system and derive the decisions about which detector model to use and how they should be arranged from these requirements. After this, I describe my e xperience building the detectors and show an early use for them in the Mu2e proton beam. I also performed a study of the sensitivity and time resolution of this model of PWC and its electronics, and give the results here. I then describe a series of simulation campaigns which shed light on the interactions between the beam and the target, and how these interactions manifest on the downstream detectors. Finally, I give the target scanning procedure to be used to align the beam and target during experiment start up.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Pion-Production Target for Mu2e-II: Design and Prototype

The higher beam intensity available for Mu2e-II will require a substantially different target design. This paper discusses our recent advances in conceptual R&D for a Mu2e-II target station. The design is based on energy deposition and radiation damage simulations as well as thermal and mechanical analyses to estimate the survivability of the system. We considered rotated targets, fixed granular targets and a novel conveyor target with tungsten or carbon spherical elements that are circulated through the beam path. The motion of the spheres can be generated either mechanically or both mechanically and by a He-gas flow. The simulations identified the conveyor target as the preferred approach, and that approach has been developed into a prototype. We describe this first prototype for the Mu2e-II target and report on its mechanical tests performed at Fermilab that indicate the feasibility of the design, discuss its challenges as well as suggest directions for further improvement.

Neuffer, David↗

DOE OSTI2022

The MU2E Experiment at FERMILAB: R&D, Design and Status

The Mu2e Experiment at Fermilab 1) will search for coherent, neutrinoless conversion of negative muons into electrons in the field of an aluminum nucleus, µ - + N (A, Z) → e - + N (A, Z). This is an example of Charged Lepton Flavour Violation (CLFV) never observed experimentally. The dynamics of such a process is well modelled by a two-body decay, resulting in a mono-energetic electron with an energy slightly below the muon rest mass (~104.967 MeV). If no events are observed in three years of running, Mu2e will set an upper limit on the ratio between conversion and capture rate R µe ≤ 6 × 10 -17 (@ 90% C.L.). This will improve the current limit of a factor of 10 4 over previous experiments. The experiment complements and extends the current/planned searches (µ → eγdecay at MEG , mu3e) as well as the direct searches for new physics at the LHC. Indeed, such CLFV searches in the muon sector probe new physics at a mass scale inaccessible with direct searches at either present or planned high-energy colliders. To detect the muon conversion process, a very intense pulsed beam of negative muons is produced by means of a S-shape Superconducting Solenoid Magnet System that is organized into three subsystems: the Production Solenoid, the Transport Solenoid and the Detector Solenoid. The beam is stopped at 10 GHz on an Aluminum target inside the Detector Solenoid. The Mu2e detectors, also installed inside the Detector Solenoid, are a high-precision tracker made on ~20000 straw tubes, and a calorimeter composed of ~1500 pure CsI crystals organized in two disks and readout by two large area UV-extended Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs). The Detector Solenoid region is surrounded by a Cosmic Ray Veto based on scintillators readout by SiPMs.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2023

Mu2e - Research & Development

Current efforts are being conducted at Fermi National Laboratory to study potential violations in accepted theory that would otherwise suggest a restructuring of our fundamental understanding of the universe. Mu2e is one of these frontier projects that studies Charged Lepton Flavor Violation (CLFV) which if observed, would suggest physics beyond the Standard Model. Therefore, this note encompasses several projects that contribute to the fruition of Mu2e investigations. Due to the broad range of disciplinary inconsistencies that each project requires, all the work is being presented as a means of justifying contribution to Mu2e. The projects are comprised of a simulation exploring the extinction level of proton pulses after Recycler ring re-bunching by using G4beamline to simulate an 8GeV proton beam interaction with a titanium target, three Cherenkov radiation-based detectors and 2/3-fold and 3/3-fold coincidence rate analysis. Additionally, supplemental work for the implementation of a Micro Telecommunications Computing Architecture (TCA) crate to establish a peak finding algorithm to ensure that the out-of-time beam is less than 10$^{−10}$ fractional level along with single-layer inefficiency analysis on scintillation counters for the Cosmic-Ray Veto (CRV) analysis to ensure the overall inefficiency is 10$^{−4}$. Preliminary results have been achieved for the G4beamline simulation 2/3-fold and 3/3-fold coincidences which are in the order of 10$^{−9}$ and 10$^{−10}$, respectively. Only preliminary results of a triangular counter and four rectangular di-counters for the CRV have been realized. The microTCA crate development is still ongoing.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Status of the Mu2e calorimeter readout electronics

The Mu2e experiment [1] at Fermilab will search for the neutrino-less coherent conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of a nucleus. Mu2e detectors comprise a straw tracker, an electromagnetic calorimeter and a veto for cosmic rays. The calorimeter employs 1348 Cesium Iodide crystals readout by silicon photomultipliers and fast front-end and digitization electronics. The front-end electronics consists of two discrete readout circuits (AMP-HV) for each crystal. These provide the amplification, shaping stage and linear regulation of the SiPM bias voltage and monitoring. The SiPM and front-end control electronics is implemented in a battery of mezzanine boards each equipped with an ARM processor that controls a group of 20 Amp-HV circuits distributing the low voltage and the high-voltage. The electronic is hosted in crates located on the external surface of calorimeter disks. The crates also host the waveform digitizer board (DIRAC) that performs digitization of the front end signals and transmit the digitized data to the Mu2e DAQ. Calorimeter electronic is hosted inside the cryostat and must sustain very high radiation and magnetic field so it was necessary to fully qualify it. The system design and quality assurance procedures will be reviewed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Mu2e Experiment

The goal of the Mu2e experiment is right in the name. Mu2e (pronounced “mew-to-ee”) is shorthand for “muon to electron.” Scientists are looking for the one-to-one conversion of a particle called the muon into its more familiar relative, the electron. New theories predict this never observed transformation, and Mu2e will be 10,000 times more sensitive than previous attempts to discover it. A successful sighting could hint at undiscovered particles and potentially illuminate a grand unification theory of nature’s four forces. The experiment complements research at the Large Hadron Collider in Europe, potentially clarifying the origins of new particles.

Fermilab, Fermilab↗

DOE OSTI2025

Online and Offline Data Quality Monitoring for the Mu2e Calorimeter

This thesis presents the design, implementation, and validation of a calorimeter Data Quality Monitoring (DQM) toolchain for the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab. Mu2e searches for charged lepton flavor violation via coherent muon-to-electron conversion in the field of an aluminum nucleus, $\mu^- Al \rightarrow e^-Al$, a process whose observation would constitute clear evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. Achieving target sensitivity requires stringent control of detector performance and data integrity during acquisition, as subtle issues in readout configuration, data formatting, or electronics behavior can compromise reconstruction and bias downstream analyzes. To address these challenges, this work develops a multi-layer DQM approach spanning both raw data validation and reconstructed digi-level diagnostics. At the low level, a fragment analysis component performs word- and bit-field decoding of calorimeter readout blocks, enabling sanity checks of the expected structure and producing detailed error and integrity statistics useful for commissioning and troubleshooting. At the digi level, the CaloDigiDQM analyzer is implemented within the art framework and transforms each CaloDigiCollection into a structured hierarchy of ROOT histograms designed for fast drill-down diagnostics. The module generates coherent monitoring views at global, disk, board, and channel granularity, including occupancy, waveform-derived features (baseline, RMS, peak amplitude and position), and left-right sensor consistency metrics. Detector-aware channel-to-electronics mapping is performed through the conditions system (CaloDAQMap), ensuring that diagnostics remain aligned with hardware identifiers used in operations. For end-to-end testing without reliance on live DAQ data, a synthetic CaloDigi producer is developed to generate realistic waveforms with controlled noise and pulse shapes. The resulting system supports both offline ROOT-file production and online operation, including optional histogram streaming through otsdaq via ots::HistoSender. This toolchain provides a practical and scalable foundation for calorimeter commissioning and stable data collection, enabling early detection of anomalies and reducing operational risk for Mu2e.

Vakulenko, Mark [Drew U.] (ORCID:0009000276197818)↗

DOE OSTI2016

Development of aluminum-stabilized superconducting cables for the Mu2e detector solenoid

Here, the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab is designed to measure the rare process of direct muon-to-electron conversion in the field of a nucleus. The experiment comprises a system of three superconducting solenoids, which focus secondary muons from the production target and transport them to an aluminum stopping target, while minimizing the associated background. The Detector Solenoid (DS) is the last magnet in the transport line and its main functions are to provide a graded field in the region of the stopping target as well as a precision magnetic field in a volume large enough to house the tracker downstream of the stopping target. The Detector Solenoid coils are designed to be wound using NbTi Rutherford cables conformed in high purity aluminum for stabilization and then cold-worked for strength. Two types of Al-stabilized conductor are required to build the DS coils, one for the gradient section and one for the spectrometer section of the solenoid. The dimensions are optimized to generate the required field profile when the same current is transported in both conductors. The conductors contain NbTi Rutherford cables with 12 (DS1) and 8 (DS2) strands respectively and are manufactured by two different vendors. This paper describes the results of the manufacturing of production lengths of the Al-stabilized cables needed to build the Mu2e Detector Solenoid as well as the testing campaigns and main results. The main cable properties and results of electrical and mechanical tests are summarized and discussed for each stage of the cable development process. Results are compared to design values to show how the production cables satisfy all the design criteria starting from the NbTi wires to the Al-stabilized cables.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2018

Production of Aluminum Stabilized Superconducting Cable for the Mu2e Transport Solenoid

Here, the Fermilab Mu2e experiment, currently under construction at Fermilab, has the goal of measuring the rare process of direct muon to electron conversion in the field of a nucleus. The experiment features three large superconducting solenoids: the production solenoid (PS), the transport solenoid (TS), and the detector solenoid (DS). The TS is an “S-shaped” solenoid that sits in between the PS and the DS producing a magnetic field ranging between 2.5 and 2.0 T. This paper describes the various steps that led to the successful procurement of over 740 km of superconducting wire and 44 km of Al-stabilized Rutherford cable needed to build the 52 coils that constitute the Mu2e TS cold mass. The main cable properties and results of electrical and mechanical test campaigns are summarized and discussed. Critical current measurements of the Al-stabilized cables are presented and compared to expected critical current values as measured on extracted strands from the final cables after chemical etching of the aluminum stabilizer. A robust and reliable approach to cable welding is presented, and the effect of cable bending on the transport current is also investigated and presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗