Results for “Systematics” — Page 67

DOE OSTI2025

AI-driven neutrino diagnostics and radiation-hard beam instrumentation for next-generation neutrino experiments

The Long Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) at Fermilab will deliver a high-intensity, multi-megawatt neutrino beam to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), enabling precision tests of the three-neutrino paradigm, CP violation searches, neutrino mass ordering determination, and supernova neutrino studies. To accelerate DUNE’s physics reach and ensure robust beam operations, we propose an integrated AI-driven framework with real-time diagnostics and radiation-hardened instrumentation. At its core is a Real-Time Beam Integrity Monitor using a physics-informed Digital Twin. By reconstructing pion phase space from muon profiles and exploiting magnetic horn optic linearity, it enables spill-by-spill beam correction and flux stabilization. By using this approach, flux-related systematics could be reduced from 5% to 1%, potentially accelerating the discovery of CP violations by four to six years. Complementing this, a US–Japan R&D effort will deploy a LAPPD-based muon monitor in the NuMI beamline. ToF measurements can be acquired with picosecond precision using this radiation-hard system, enhancing sensitivity to horn chromatic effects. Simulations confirm strong response to these effects. ML models predict beam quality and horn current to sub-percent accuracy from muon data, enhancing anomaly detection and stability. This scalable, AI-enabled strategy improves beam fidelity, reduces systematics, and sets a new standard for high-power accelerator operations.

Ganguly, Sudeshna [Fermilab] (ORCID:00000003163482↗

DOE OSTI2025

Frequency-Selectable Laser Source (FLS) for Cosmic Microwave Background Experiments

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments measure remnant radiation from the early universe and use that data to determine fundamental properties of the universe. We can constrain key parameters, such as \textit{r}, the cosmic tensor-to-scalar ratio, and $N_\text{eff}$, the effective number of relativistic species, by analyzing the CMB power spectra. Improving our measurements of the CMB requires improving our instrument systematics, one of the most important of which is detector bandpass. Current experiments use a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) to measure bandpass. However, the FTS is systematics limited, and cannot achieve the accuracy needed to make improved CMB measurements. For this reason, we are developing a new instrument, the Frequency-Selectable Laser Source (FLS) to decrease the uncertainty in bandpass by an order of magnitude. In this paper, we describe work completed to support the version 2 upgrade to the FLS. Using ray-tracing software, we modeled the FLS optics to set physical tolerances for the new design. We also discuss the laser calibration, and future work to be completed in further development of the FLS upgrade.

Rosen-Turits, Gabriel M.↗

DOE OSTI2026

MINERvA open-data product

MINERvA is THE neutrino cross section experiment Scintillator tracker/calorimeter ran in the NuMI beam at Fermilab same beam as the MINOS and NOvA oscillation experiments With our data, we are solving systematic shortcomings in neutrino interaction rate/spectra that are the largest part of the systematic uncertainty in today s (and tomorrow s) measurements. Some aspects have NO equivalent in the neutrino program future. Scientific scope includes both particle and nuclear physics GeV scale cross sections, A dependence, MeV scale effects most published measurements for a neutrino experiments ever (well, tied with T2K) with 25% more papers in the pipeline.

Gran, Rik [Minnesota U., Duluth] (ORCID:0000000216↗

DOE OSTI2026

First results from the search for muon neutrino disappearance with ICARUS

After successful operation at LNGS and a major upgrade at CERN, the 760-ton ICARUS T600 detector has been running at Fermilab since 2020, collecting neutrino interactions from the BNB and NuMI beams. In late 2025, ICARUS reached five years of continuous data taking, demonstrating the maturity of large-scale LAr-TPC technology and its relevance for future experiments such as DUNE. This contribution presents the first ICARUS search for muon-neutrino disappearance in the BNB. Charged-current 1μNp events selected from 2022–2023 data are compared to simulations and interpreted, for the first time, within a two-neutrino approximation of the 3+1 sterile-neutrino model, including systematic uncertainties from flux, interaction, and detector effects. Although currently limited by systematic uncertainties, this first oscillation analysis probes the parameter space suggested by existing νμ-disappearance results and lays the groundwork for future SBN combined analyses with SBND, which will significantly improve sensitivity to sterile-neutrino scenarios.

Artero Pons, Maria [Padua U.; INFN, Padua]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Updating the BNB Flux Prediction at SBND

Precise, accurate neutrino flux predictions for neutrino beam experiments are crucial for physics results. Flux uncertainties contribute significantly to the total systematic uncertainties seen in modern accelerator neutrino measurements such as cross sections, oscillations, and BSM studies.. For over a decade, experiments utilizing Fermilab’s Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) have relied on the 2009 MiniBooNE flux prediction. However, the high-statistics era of the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program, with both SBND and ICARUS now operating, demands a modernized flux model and framework. While SBND is using the MiniBooNE flux model for its Generation 1 analyses, including many upcoming cross section measurements, future work will be based on a new flux model. In this talk, the ongoing work towards this new model will be outlined, including a new simulation framework (G4BNB), a new evaluation of model parameters from hadron scattering data, and a new framework for evaluating systematic uncertainties (BNBFP). Additionally, expansions to the flux model to include BSM contributions from neutral mesons will be discussed, as well as the PRISM capabilities of SBND to observe a wide range of off axis angles of the neutrino beam.

Paton, Josephine [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

First results from search for muon-neutrino disappearance at ICARUS

The ICARUS collaboration has completed a search for muon-neutrino disappearance in the context of the 3+1 sterile neutrino model using data collected with the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab during 2022-2023 (ICARUS Run 2). Events are reconstructed with two different reconstruction frameworks and we select events with 1 muon, at least 1 proton, and no pions in the final state. A new fitting framework, called PROfit, was developed for this analysis and used for the final results presented here. As a single detector oscillation search this analysis is systematics limited, but the tools shown here will serve as a building block for future SBN searches where systematics will be constrained by the addition of a near detector. I will discuss the details of the analysis with a focus on the fitting framework, mock data studies, and the final fitting procedure during the data unboxing.

Larkin, Jacob [Rochester U.]↗

DOE OSTI2026

First results from the search for muon neutrino disappearance with ICARUS

After successful operation at LNGS and a major upgrade at CERN, the 760-ton ICARUS T600 detector has been running at Fermilab since 2020, collecting neutrino interactions from the BNB and NuMI beams. In late 2025, ICARUS reached five years of continuous data taking, demonstrating the maturity of large-scale LAr-TPC technology and its relevance for future experiments such as DUNE. This contribution presents the first ICARUS search for muon-neutrino disappearance in the BNB. Charged-current 1μNp events selected from 2022–2023 data are compared to simulations and interpreted, for the first time, within a two-neutrino approximation of the 3+1 sterile-neutrino model, including systematic uncertainties from flux, interaction, and detector effects. Although currently limited by systematic uncertainties, this first oscillation analysis probes the parameter space suggested by existing νμ-disappearance results and lays the groundwork for future SBN combined analyses with SBND, which will significantly improve sensitivity to sterile-neutrino scenarios.

Artero Pons, Maria [Padua U.; INFN, Padua]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Updating the BNB Flux Prediction at SBND

Precise, accurate neutrino flux predictions for neutrino beam experiments are crucial for physics results. Flux uncertainties contribute significantly to the total systematic uncertainties seen in modern accelerator neutrino measurements such as cross sections, oscillations, and BSM studies.. For over a decade, experiments utilizing Fermilab’s Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) have relied on the 2009 MiniBooNE flux prediction. However, the high-statistics era of the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program, with both SBND and ICARUS now operating, demands a modernized flux model and framework. While SBND is using the MiniBooNE flux model for its Generation 1 analyses, including many upcoming cross section measurements, future work will be based on a new flux model. In this talk, the ongoing work towards this new model will be outlined, including a new simulation framework (G4BNB), a new evaluation of model parameters from hadron scattering data, and a new framework for evaluating systematic uncertainties (BNBFP). Additionally, expansions to the flux model to include BSM contributions from neutral mesons will be discussed, as well as the PRISM capabilities of SBND to observe a wide range of off axis angles of the neutrino beam.

Paton, Josephine [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

First results from search for muon-neutrino disappearance at ICARUS

The ICARUS collaboration has completed a search for muon-neutrino disappearance in the context of the 3+1 sterile neutrino model using data collected with the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab during 2022-2023 (ICARUS Run 2). Events are reconstructed with two different reconstruction frameworks and we select events with 1 muon, at least 1 proton, and no pions in the final state. A new fitting framework, called PROfit, was developed for this analysis and used for the final results presented here. As a single detector oscillation search this analysis is systematics limited, but the tools shown here will serve as a building block for future SBN searches where systematics will be constrained by the addition of a near detector. I will discuss the details of the analysis with a focus on the fitting framework, mock data studies, and the final fitting procedure during the data unboxing.

Larkin, Jacob [Rochester U.]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Control Parameter Sensitivity Study for Inverter-Based-Resource Dominated Grids: A Small Signal Stability Approach and Framework

The growing adoption of renewable energy is driving the prevalence of inverter-based resources (IBRs) within power grids. Future power grids will integrate both grid-following IBRs (GFM-IBRs) and grid-forming IBRs (GFL-IBRs) alongside synchronous generators. Therefore, it is crucial to perform stability studies that account for all components and especially control interactions related to IBRs. Extensive research has performed to study the IBR-related stability, however, the sensitivity study of IBRs' control parameters on system stability has not been adequately studied yet, especially from a systematic way. Therefore, this paper conducts a small signal stability analysis for a generic grid with multiple types of resources and develops an analytical framework for assessing the sensitivity of control parameters affecting stability margins. To achieve that, the non-autonomous reduced-order non-linear dynamic model is developed for a generic power system with multiple synchronous generator-based resources (SGBRs), GFM-IBRs, and GFL-IBRs. Based on the analytic model, a systematic framework for parametric sensitivity on systems' asymptotic stability is developed. A parameter sensitivity analysis based on eigenvalue methods is proposed. The impact of the droop controllers of GFM-IBRs, PQ-dispatch and the PLL controller of GFL-IBR on the system asymptotic stability is discussed. This sensitivity study is aiming to provide deep insights on control parameters' impact on system stability, and gives direction for parameter tuning in case of instability.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Studying MeV Scale Neutron Interactions in DUNE ND-LAr 2x2 Demonstrator

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment designed to make high-precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters and probe for new physics using a neutrino beam produced at Fermilab and measured at a near detector complex and a far detector located 1,300 km away at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Precise neutrino energy reconstruction is essential for these measurements, with neutron production in neutrino–argon interactions representing a significant source of systematic uncertainty, as neutrons can carry away significant energy, making their detection and characterization crucial. DUNE’s near detector complex includes ND-LAr, a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) detector designed to mirror the far detector technology and constrain neutrino–argon interaction systematics. The DUNE 2x2 Demonstrator, a pixelated LArTPC based on the ArgonCube design, serves as a prototype for ND-LAr. During 2x2 operations from October to November 2026, an Americium–Beryllium (AmBe) neutron source was deployed near the detector cryostat to obtain a high-statistics sample of neutron interactions. This poster presents progress in studying MeV-scale neutron interactions in this dataset by identifying de-excitation gammas from neutron capture on argon, providing a method for neutron identification and charge readout system calibration in future DUNE detectors.

Mao, Edgar [Syracuse U.] (ORCID:0009000600893306)↗

DOE OSTI2026

A Joint Search for Muon Neutrino Disappearance with the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program Using the SPINE Deep Learning-Based Reconstruction Package

We present the status of a joint search for muon neutrino disappearance in the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab using the Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) Program's two-detector configuration, SBND and ICARUS. Charged-current interactions consistent with muon neutrinos and containing only a muon and at least one proton in the final state are reconstructed and selected using the SPINE deep learning-based particle reconstruction package. To exploit proton multiplicity information and enhance sensitivity to modeling effects, the selected sample is partitioned into exclusive channels with exactly one reconstructed proton and with more than one reconstructed proton. Comprehensive systematic uncertainties from the neutrino flux, interaction, and detector response are incorporated into the analysis, and the coverage of these systematic uncertainty models is validated using data from both detectors, including checks of near-far consistency in key kinematic and topology-sensitive observables. This analysis is intended for inclusion in SBN's first oscillation result.

Mueller, Justin [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Transforming the $v$ World: A New Multivariate Transformer Energy Estimator for NOvA

The NOvA Transformer Energy Estimator (Transformer_EE) is a universal machine learning tool currently used to infer the incoming beam neutrino energy and the outgoing lepton energy in both near andfar detectors. It uses a unique, highly flexible framework for simultaneous multivariate prediction that supports many possible loss functions. A spectral reweighting and flattening scheme lessens training bias. A feature noising subroutine enables adversarial-like training, mitigating sensitivities to certain systematic effects at marginal resolution loss at inference time. The state of the Transformer_EE will be reviewed, and its robustness with respect to several NOvA Near and Far Detector systematics highlighted.

Tong, Leon [Minnesota U.] (ORCID:0000000231625965)↗

DOE OSTI2026

Pandora-based muon neutrino disappearance search in the SBN program with 1muonNp quasi-elastic like channel

The Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab aims to perform a definitive search for light sterile neutrinos using multiple liquid argon time projection chamber detectors. We present the status of an analysis of muon neutrino charged-current interactions in two SBN detectors (SBND and ICARUS), selecting fully contained events with one muon and at least one proton in the final state, inspired by the recent ICARUS standalone results. This topology-driven selection reduces dependence on neutrino interaction cross-section modeling while preserving high statistics and good neutrino energy resolution, enabled by robust reconstruction and particle identification. Fully contained events enable precise kinematic reconstruction and support relative measurements between detectors, directly addressing the core goals of the SBN program. A detailed evaluation of systematic uncertainties is currently underway, with the objective of reducing the dominant systematics to the percent level. The current status of this analysis, with a particular focus on the event selection performance, will be presented in this poster.

Artero Pons, Maria [Padua U.; INFN, Padua]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Future Sterile Neutrino Searches in NOvA using the Booster Neutrino Beam

The NOvA experiment’s most recent search for eV-scale sterile neutrinos under a 3+1 model simultaneously analyses muon neutrino and neutral current datasets from the NuMI beam at it's Near ($\sim$1 km baseline) and Far (810 km baseline) detectors to look for oscillations consistent with a sterile neutrino. The analysis is systematically limited in the region of parameter space where $\Delta m^{2}_{41} $>~1 eV^2$. This region of parameter space is preferred by sterile neutrino interpretations of current experimental anomalies and so improving sensitivity here is high-priority. The Near Detector’s position on-site at Fermilab means that it is also able to observe neutrinos from a second neutrino beam, the BNB, 160 mrad off-axis. This data probes a similar L/E to the NuMI data, but using a different neutrino energy, and being subject to different beam-related uncertainties. Jointly analysing these datasets can help us to constrain our systematic uncertainties, improving our sensitivity. NOvA has been taking BNB data since 2015, but has not yet analysed these data. This poster will present first sensitivities from the combined analysis of the BNB and NuMI datasets.

Lister, Adam [U. Wisconsin, Madison (main)]↗

DOE OSTI2023

Constructing Regulatory Networks to Compare Axenic and Interspecies Microbial Gene Transcription

In this preliminary study, we constructed gene regulatory networks (GRNs) from transcriptional expression data of axenic and interspecies microbial cultures with the goal of predicting how cocultivation affected greenhouse gas respiration by these species. The specific strains of Methylotuvimicrobium alkaliphilum 20Z, a methylotroph, and Cyanobacterium stanieri HL-69, a phototroph, were chosen for their viability in industrial bioprocessing. We ranked directed interactions between gene pairs based on the ability of the input gene to predict the expression of a target gene relative to their transcriptomes. While we were able to identify topological differences between conditions, our initial findings require validation through experimental analysis and further modeling. We aimed to develop a systematic thresholding approach to optimize the accuracy of our networks. We filtered out trial networks separately from top gene interactions of the scored rankings. Parameters of unfiltered and filtered networks were used to test and develop thresholding approaches. Knee point detection of edge weight distributions was explored as an approach for separating significant interactions from insignificant interactions in unfiltered networks. While knee detection failed to produce analogous networks for broad cross-condition comparisons, the results informed us about the proportions of significant edges present in unfiltered networks. We also calculated the average mean degree for nodes in a selection of trial networks to find a thresholding value characteristic to all groups. While we did not reach a definitive conclusion, we gained insight into the coregulatory structures of our groups and made critical evaluations of systematic methods for filtering networks. We recommend an iterative process for the inference of GRNs, where the most significant results from preliminary explorations are used to improve the efficiency with which regulatory motifs are chosen for experimental characterization. Experimental results can then inform the framework of adjusted models to improve broad interpretations of GRNs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2026

Fluorinated Glyme Solvents to Extend Lithium-Sulfur Battery Life (Final Technical Report, Unlimited)

This project investigated a number of partially fluorinated glymes (PFGs) as electrolyte cosolvents to improve the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. A major issue in Li-S cells is the electrochemical reaction of sulfur in the cathode to form lithium polysulfides (LPS) that dissolve in the electrolyte. Those LPS are electrochemically and chemically reactive at the lithium anode, resulting in lithium sulfide deposition on the anode and also electrochemical reaction at both the anode and cathode, leading to a “polysulfide shuttle” and reduced coulombic efficiency (CE) and self-discharge of the cell. PFGs reduce the solubility of LPS while maintaining good solubility of lithium salts such as LiTFSI. By adjusting the amount of PFG as cosolvent in the electrolyte, we showed that the solubility of LPS in the electrolyte can be tuned. (It is not desirable to completely eliminate LPS in the electrolyte, as they facilitate electrochemical reaction of the electrically insulating S 8 and Li 2 S within the cathode by shuttling charge between them and the conductive carbon.) Another issue in Li-S cells is degradation of the Li anode over many cycles of stripping (discharge) and plating (charge). We showed that PFGs have a beneficial effect on the physical morphology of the Li anode, SEI formation, and the CE of a Li-Li cell. Among the many PFGs tested, we found the best performance from PFGs designated PFG2 and PFG5, and these two PFGs were thoroughly studied. A systematic coin-cell study of electrolyte solvents of 90:10, 80:20, or 70:30 DME:PFG (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) revealed some systematic trends: a higher percentage of PFG solvent led to substantially longer cycle life, but at the same time reduced specific capacity (mAh/g(S)) and cell capacity at higher rates. These studies used LiFSI as the electrolyte salt, as it was found to extend cycle life compared to LiTFSI. Finally, the addition of a small amount of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) to the electrolyte was found to be beneficial. The overall optimal electrolyte solution was found to be 0.6 M LiFSI + 0.5 M LiNO 3 in 75:5:20 DME/DOL/PFG (either PFG2 or PFG5).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2026

Induced Magnetic Fields in LBNF Horns and DUNE-PRISM Off-Axis Neutrinos

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next-generation, long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment that will utilize an intense neutrino beam from Fermilab to measure neutrino oscillation parameters with unprecedented precision. The DUNE-PRISM near detector concept employs an off-axis measurement strategy to mitigate neutrino-nucleus interaction uncertainties; however, this approach relies critically on the accurate characterization of the neutrino flux. As statistical uncertainties are suppressed in the high-intensity Long Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) beam, beamline focusing uncertainties, specifically those arising from focusing horn geometry, become an important systematic uncertainty source. This work presents Geant4 LBNF beam simulations quantifying one of the most important systematic uncertainties for off-axis fluxes: the impact of manufacturing tolerances in the LBNF horns. The focusing horns consist of coaxial inner and outer conductors. Ideally, the region inside the inner conductor is field-free, while the region between the inner and outer conductors serves as the focusing region, where the magnetic field follows a nominal $1/r$ dependence. However, inner conductor deformations such as eccentricity and ellipticity introduce asymmetry, inducing unintended magnetic fields inside the field-free region. Crucially, while the on-axis neutrino flux remains largely unaffected by these induced fields, the resulting flux fractional shifts become pronounced over a particular range of off-axis positions where the DUNE-PRISM program will perform measurements. Consequently, these inner conductor deformations can impact the precision of flux predictions, which could potentially degrade the sensitivity to oscillation parameters. Possible mitigation strategies for these effects will also be presented.

Bae, Yuri [U. Minnesota, Minneapolis (main)] (ORCI↗