DOE OSTI2018
SNO+ is a neutrino experiment with a broad physics program, the primary goal being a search for the phenomenon of neutrinoless double beta decay, a process possible only if the neutrino is its own antiparticle, or a "Majorana" fermion. Such a discovery would substantially alter our understanding of particle physics, including introducing the need for a non-Higgs mechanism for generating particle mass, and place constraints on the as-yet-unknown neutrino mass scale. SNO+ will also detect neutrinos from the solar core, furthering our understanding of the fusion cycles that power the sun, and antineutrinos produced inside the Earth (geoneutrinos), which will enable a better understanding of heat production beneath the Earth's surface. We will continually monitor for neutrinos from nearby supernovae, which, if detected, could allow us to better understand the role of neutrinos in stellar core collapse, and potentially to determine the unknown neutrino mass hierarchy. With such a broad physics program, SNO+ has great potential both to advance our understanding of neutrinos, and to use neutrinos to understand the formation and behavior of our Universe. This report describes a targeted plan of optical calibrations of the SNO+ detector, with the goal of measuring and monitoring the PMT optical response independently of liquid scintillator properties. To this end we describe the design, construction, and operation of a source of Cherenkov light for deployment in SNO+. Successful deployment in the initial light water phase is described, demonstrating the capabilities of this calibration mechanism. The results of this work form a critical input to the SNO+ detector model, directly impacting the sensitivity of all SNO+ physics results. Also described is significant work on detector commissioning, DAQ and operations, the implementation of calibration efforts in multiple physics analyses, involvement in all levels of analysis activities, and leadership in SNO+ science.
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗