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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Neutrino beam bunch structure reconstruction with precision timing in the ICARUS liquid argon time projection chamber

The ICARUS detector has been operating smoothly since 2021 as the far detector in the Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab, collecting neutrino interactions from both the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) and off-axis from the Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam. Analysis of neutrino interactions in ICARUS requires mitigation of substantial cosmogenic backgrounds. This is achieved by using an external Cosmic Ray Tagger (CRT) and a Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) system embedded in the liquid argon. The intrinsic neutrino beam bunch structure, inherited time structure from the Radio Frequency (RF) system used to accelerate the protons, can be resolved at the ICARUS detector using precise timing information. Located at shallow depth, ICARUS is exposed to a high flux of cosmic rays that can be mistaken for neutrino interactions. To mitigate this background, the CRT and a 3-meter-thick concrete overburden were installed. To better model backgrounds, ICARUS makes use of an overlay technique where simulated neutrino events are superimposed on detector beam-off data. PMTs installed within a Time Projection Chamber detect argon scintillation light emitted by high energy charged particles passing through the chamber and provide the event timing of neutrino interactions. The nanosecond-level beam bunch structure is reconstructed with the PMT system and can be used to further understand backgrounds and enhance neutrino physics capabilities. In this thesis, I will discuss background mitigation techniques using precision timing and present a novel technique to select neutrino events from our unbiased data stream using the beam bunch structure.

Heggestuen, Anna [Colorado State U.] (ORCID:000000↗
DOE OSTI2026

Demonstration and performance of an online data selection algorithm for liquid argon time projection chambers using MicroBooNE

The MicroBooNE detector is a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) that produces three-dimensional images of particle interactions using ionization charge collected by anode wire plane arrays and scintillation light collected by a light detection system. In addition to testing long-standing experimental neutrino anomalies and performing measurements of neutrino interactions with argon nuclei using the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam, MicroBooNE aims to develop methodologies for rare beyond the Standard Model and off-beam physics searches. Looking ahead to the upcoming Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), with MicroBooNE serving as a valuable testbed, achieving high sensitivity and livetime for off-beam physics while satisfying data processing and storage constraints will require data-driven, intelligent, and online or real-time data selection techniques. These techniques are essential for reducing data rates and preserving rare signals with high accuracy. In this paper, we describe a fast data selection algorithm suitable for online execution to identify electrons from stopping cosmic ray muons in the MicroBooNE detector utilizing ionization charge information, and present its performance. This represents the first demonstration of online data selection in a LArTPC using real data and charge information exclusively and provides an important proof-of-principle for applying such techniques to other LArTPC experiments such as the Short-Baseline Near Detector and DUNE.

Abratenko, P. [Tufts U. (main)]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Charge readout electronics for the DUNE horizontal drift far detector: design and performance in ProtoDUNE-HD

DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment currently under construction, whose far detectors will be the largest liquid argon time projection chambers ever built. This detector design calls for custom-built cryogenic front-end electronics to meet its performance requirements. This paper describes the charge readout electronics that will be used in the DUNE horizontal drift (HD) far detector and presents performance results using data from the ProtoDUNE-HD detector, a 770 ton liquid argon time projection chamber operated at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2024 that served as the final prototype of the DUNE HD design.

Front-end electronics for detector readout↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Trigger System of ICARUS-T600 Detector at Fermilab

The ICARUS-T600 liquid argon (LAr) time projection chamber (TPC) detector is currently deployed as a far detector of the Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab (USA) to search for a possible LSND-like sterile neutrino signal at $\Deltam^2 \approx 1eV^2$ with the Booster (BNB) and Main Injector (NuMI) Neutrino Beams. A global physical event rate of $\approx 0.6$ Hz, including the genuine neutrino interactions in LAr, beam halos and cosmic interactions inside the proton pulse time windows, is expected, roughly corresponding to $\approx 4$ PB of data for the total 6.6 $10^{20}$ pot exposure if the full ICARUS-T600 detector is readout ($\approx 200$ MB event size). The designed trigger system described here will collect the genuine neutrino interactions with a $\approx 95$\% expected efficiency.

Copello, S. [INFN, Pavia]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Limits on the Low-energy Electron Antineutrino Flux from the Brightest Gamma-Ray Burst of All Time

The electron antineutrino flux limits are presented for the brightest gamma-ray burst (GRB) of all time, GRB221009A, over a range of 1.8–200 MeV using the Kamioka Liquid Scintillator Antineutrino Detector. Using multiple time windows ranging from minutes to days surrounding the event to search for electron antineutrinos coincident with the GRB, we set an upper limit on the flux under the assumption of several power-law neutrino source spectra, with power-law indices ranging from 1.5 to 3 in steps of 0.5. No excess was observed in any time windows ranging from seconds to days around the event trigger time T 0 . For a power-law index of 2 and a time window of T 0 ± 500 s, a flux upper limit of 2.34 × 10 9 cm −2 was calculated. The limits are compared to the results presented by IceCube.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Using quantum noise correlation analysis to measure ion temperature

Quantum noise correlation analysis was tested at the proof-of-concept level as a technique to measure ion temperature in a plasma. If eventually successful, this technique could enable a compact, inexpensive, and robust ion temperature diagnostic suitable for a burning plasma environment. Ion temperature is a key parameter determining the fusion performance of a burning plasma, as the fusion cross-section has a strong dependence on ion temperature. This ion temperature diagnostic would require only a small optical view of the plasma through a port to passively record impurity line emission. The instrumentation would be remote from the reactor behind the neutron and bio-shielding. The technique relies solely on quantum correlations of the photons emitted by a plasma impurity to measure ion temperature; there is no grating dispersion of an emission line-width or pulse-height analysis of photon energy. This measurement innovation was tested with instrumentation consisting of two single-photon detectors with high timing resolution, a time-tagging unit, and simple light collection optics. This instrumentation measures the second-order correlation between the light intensity falling on the two detectors. The next steps beyond the proof-of-concept level will be development of diagnostic designs for application of this technique to high-temperature and burning plasmas. Arrays of single-photon avalanche detectors to multiplex measurements of photon correlation will be required to reduce signal integration time to an acceptable duration.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Real Time implementation of Artificial Intelligence compression algorithm for High-Speed Streaming Readout signals

The new generation of high-energy physics experiments plans to acquire data in streaming mode. With this approach, it is possible to access the information of the whole detector (organized in time slices) for optimal and lossless triggering of data acquisitions. With this approach, data rates, especially in large detectors, are often very high, and the network is likely to be the bottleneck for the entire Streaming Read Out system. The aim of this work is to study the implementation of a lossy compression algorithm based on Artificial Intelligence: an Autoencoder. With Machine Learning it is possible to achieve a high compression ratio and fast inference time with only a small degradation of the signals, almost negligible for the specific application. This work explores different configurations of the Autoencoder and the implementation on different hardware. Different Autoencoder configurations are explored to find the best trade-off between compression ratio and reconstruction loss, both for signals and energy spectrum. Different hardware implementations are also explored to find the best platform to achieve real-time performance for the specific application.

Rossi, Fabio (ORCID:0009000385713885)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Charged Current Coherent Pion Production Cross-Section Measurement at MicroBooNE

Coherent pion production, characterized by a neutrino interacting with an entire nucleus without breaking it apart, results in a forward-going muon, pion, and a low-momentum recoil nucleus. By leveraging an improved understanding of particle identification and background parameterization, we aim to achieve a new level of sensitivity to coherent interactions at low neutrino energy. The outcome of this analysis will contribute to ongoing efforts to model neutrino nucleus interactions accurately in neutrino oscillation studies and beyond Standard Model searches in MicroBooNE and future experiments, such as DUNE. We present progress towards a measurement of charged current coherent pion production cross-section on argon with the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber detector. This measurement will use MicroBooNE's full dataset collected from the Booster Neutrino Beam with a total exposure of \( 1.3 \times 10^{21} \) protons-on-target and average neutrino energy of 0.8 GeV.

Hussain, Adil [Kansas State U.]↗
DOE OSTI2026

Two 28-nm front-end ASICs for ultra-fine spatial resolution and precision timing to be 3D integrated with 12 LGADs

The 3DIntSenS Collaboration—a joint effort between SLAC, Fermilab, and LLNL—is developing enabling technologies for next-generation radiation imaging detectors that combine ultra-fine spatial resolution (about 10 µm) with precision timing (<20 ps), while maintaining low power <1 W/cm2 and high data throughput. The approach leverages 3D integration between advanced CMOS readout ASICs and finely pixelated LGAD sensors to achieve the performance and scalability required for large-area, high-rate applications. High-granularity, precision-timing detectors are essential for scientific advances in HEP, NP, BES, and FES, but widespread adoption is limited by the cost and complexity of 3D integration. To close this gap, the collaboration is developing LGAD sensors compatible with 12-inch commercial CMOS processes, enabling cost-effective integration with high-performance ASICs under development. We present two 28 nm CMOS ASIC prototypes, including a low-jitter front end, and in-pixel TDC demonstrating sub-10 ps timing resolution. These advances represent a critical step toward scalable, high-resolution radiation imaging systems for future scientific instrumentation.

England, Troy [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000154405255)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Two 28-nm front-end ASICs for ultra-fine spatial resolution and precision timing to be 3D integrated with 12 LGADs

The 3DIntSenS Collaboration—a joint effort between SLAC, Fermilab, and LLNL—is developing enabling technologies for next-generation radiation imaging detectors that combine ultra-fine spatial resolution (about 10 µm) with precision timing (<20 ps), while maintaining low power <1 W/cm2 and high data throughput. The approach leverages 3D integration between advanced CMOS readout ASICs and finely pixelated LGAD sensors to achieve the performance and scalability required for large-area, high-rate applications. High-granularity, precision-timing detectors are essential for scientific advances in HEP, NP, BES, and FES, but widespread adoption is limited by the cost and complexity of 3D integration. To close this gap, the collaboration is developing LGAD sensors compatible with 12-inch commercial CMOS processes, enabling cost-effective integration with high-performance ASICs under development. We present two 28 nm CMOS ASIC prototypes, including a low-jitter front end, and in-pixel TDC demonstrating sub-10 ps timing resolution. These advances represent a critical step toward scalable, high-resolution radiation imaging systems for future scientific instrumentation.

England, Troy [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000154405255)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Probing BSM Oscillatory Signals with the DUNE Detectors and the LBNF Neutrino Beam: NSI and Sterile Neutrino Sensitivities

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a flagship long-baseline accelerator neutrino experiment under construction in the U.S. With a 1,300 km distance between its Near Detector (ND) and Far Detector (FD), the world’s most intense LBNF (Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility) neutrino beam, and high-resolution LArTPC (Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber) detectors, DUNE will measure the neutrino oscillation parameters with unprecedented precision. In addition to the determination of the neutrino mass ordering and the potential discovery of Charge-Parity violation in the leptonic sector, DUNE's capabilities present a unique opportunity for probing Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) physics signals with neutrinos. Examples of BSM physics manifestations include the presence of Non-Standard Interactions (NSI) of neutrinos with matter, or the existence of sterile neutrinos that mix with 3-Flavor neutrinos. In this study, we present a joint ND+FD fit to simulated data assessing DUNE's sensitivity to probing neutrino NSI, as well as scenarios including sterile neutrino mixing.

Prais, Luiz [Cincinnati U.] (ORCID:000000018224947↗
DOE OSTI2026

Pulsed-Neutron Experiments at the Inherently Safe Subcritical Assembly

The pulsed neutron technique is a powerful, dynamic method to assay the reactivity of a multiplying system. This work presents the novel application of the pulsed neutron technique to the Inherently Safe Subcritical Assembly, an experimental configuration accepted by the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project Handbook. The experiments were replicated with COG11.3, a continuous-energy Monte Carlo code. The pulsed neutron data were analyzed using the Sjöstrand and Gozani area-ratio methods and by extracting the prompt neutron decay constant. Subsequent static k-eigenvalue and 𝛼-eigenvalue simulations were also performed for the same configurations. Neutron detector dead-time effects from the experiments were corrected using the Backwards Extrapolation Method and shown to have a negligible impact on the estimated reactivities. The results highlight that capturing time-dependent effects like delayed neutron precursor buildup are essential to accurately reproduce experimental results. They also highlight the importance of shielding the detectors from generator source neutrons in deeply subcritical configurations.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mass reconstruction of heavy neutral leptons from stopped mesons

Heavy neutral leptons (HNLs), depending on their mass and mixing, can be efficiently produced in meson decays from the target or absorber in short- to medium-baseline accelerator neutrino experiments, leaving detectable signals through their decays inside the neutrino detectors. We show that the currently running ICARUS experiment at Fermilab can reconstruct the HNL mass and explore new HNL parameter space in the mass range of 70–190 MeV. The mass reconstruction is enabled by two ingredients: (i) simple two-body kinematics of HNL production from stopped kaon decays at the NuMI absorber, followed by HNL decay into a charged-lepton pair and neutrino at the detector, and (ii) high resolution of Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) detectors in reconstructing final state particles. Our mass reconstruction method is robust under realistic energy resolution and angular smearing of the charged leptons, and is applicable to any LArTPC detector. We also discuss the synergy between ICARUS and future facilities like DUNE near detector and PIP-II beam dump in probing the HNL parameter space. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

NUMI Flux Systematic Uncertainties

The Imaging Cosmic And Rare Underground Signals (ICARUS) detector is a 476 t active liquid argon time projection chamber neutrino detector at Fermilab. ICARUS lies 795 m downstream and 5.75◦ off-axis from the Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam. To create a neutrino beam NuMI directs pulsed beam of 120 GeV protons onto a graphite target to create hadrons, which are then focused by magnetic horns and allowed to decay into neutrinos. At the ICARUS off-axis angle the neutrino flux originates from the decays of unfocused/antifocused pions decays and from high-transverse momentum kaon decays. These contributions allow ICARUS to observe a significant flux of (anti-)electron and (anti-)muon neutrinos in a kinematic region relevant to the upcoming DUNE experiment. These factors also introduce various model uncertainties that have not been studied in detail by existing on-axis experiments. This poster will explore the systematic uncertainties in the NuMI flux at ICARUS that arise from uncertainties on hadron interaction cross sections and beamline operation conditions.

Alrahman, Fatima Abd [Houston U.]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Time Alignment of the CMS Hadron Calorimeter

The Hadron Calorimeter (HCAL) in the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was recently upgraded for Run 3 (2022-2025) to introduce depth segmentation and online timing measurements. With increased segmentation and readout channels, the HCAL provides new timing capabilities for jets and hadronic tau decays with nearly 4π coverage and sensitivity to highly displaced decays within the calorimeter volume. Recent HCAL timing scans provide a valuable look at artificially delayed jets in collision data and are crucial to improving the detector’s performance. Online timing is utilized for detector alignment based on positioning the pulse rising edge, achieving an alignment accuracy of 0.5 ns, considerably higher than previous energy-weighting based approaches. Using precision arrival time measurements, significant advances have been made in understanding the propagation of hadronic showers throughout the calorimeter.

Kopp, Gillian [Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)↗
DOE OSTI2025

A flexible test facility for liquid xenon detector development

As liquid xenon time projection chambers scale to ever-larger sizes, so too do the engineering challenges they pose. Here, we describe a large, flexible, multipurpose test facility capable of supporting the development of a number of key aspects of liquid xenon detector systems. Example applications of this facility include characterization of large-area light and charge sensor arrays, tests of xenon purification techniques and materials compatibility, and investigations into high-voltage phenomena. This facility uses an automated and remotely monitored cryo-cooling system based on immersion of the test chamber in a liquid bath rather than conductive coupling, leading to advantages in temperature and pressure stability, as well as increasing required response times in the case of cooling-power loss. Design advantages, operational procedures, and performance of the facility are described, as well as five examples of liquid xenon test chambers that use the facility.

Dark Matter detectors↗
DOE OSTI2025

First Measurement of Charged-Current Muon-Neutrino-Induced 𝐾 + Production on Argon Using the MicroBooNE Detector

The MicroBooNE experiment is an 85 tonne active mass liquid argon time projection chamber neutrino detector exposed to the on-axis Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab. One of MicroBooNE’s physics goals is the precise measurement of neutrino interactions on argon in the 1 GeV energy regime. Building on the capabilities of the MicroBooNE detector, this analysis identifies 𝐾 + mesons, a key signature for the study of strange particle production in neutrino interactions. This measurement is furthermore valuable for background estimation for future nucleon decay searches and for improved reconstruction and particle identification capabilities in experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. In this Letter, we present the first-ever measurement of a flux-integrated cross section for charged-current muon neutrino induced 𝐾 + production on argon nuclei, determined to be 7.93 ± 3.22⁢(stat) ± 2.83⁢(syst)×10 −42 cm 2 /nucleon based on an analysis of 6.88 × 10 20 protons on target. This result was found to be consistent with model predictions from different neutrino event generators within the reported uncertainties.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Real-Time Anomaly Detection for Charge-Based Triggering in LArTPCs

Modern particle detectors, including liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs), collect a vast amount of data, making it impractical to save everything for offline analysis. As a result, these experiments need to employ different down-selection techniques during data acquisition, referred to as triggering. In this talk, I will present a framework that would enable real-time, data-driven triggering for LArTPCs, using anomaly detection algorithms implemented on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Drawing on a study that makes use of collected charge data from the MicroBooNE LArTPC Public Dataset, I will discuss the overall performance of such algorithms and potential applications for future neutrino experiments.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗