Proposal for the continuation of a programme of Neutrino factory research and development
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Of the species of particles currently known to physics, the neutrinos, which come in three types: electron, muon, and tau, are probably among the most intriguing but least understood. The neutrinos have tiny masses and interact with matter only very weakly. The results of all particle physics experiments to date have been readily explained by the 'Standard Model' of particle physics, developed in the 1960s: that is, except, for a small set of results from a select few experiments investigating the behaviour of neutrinos. Neutrinos are naturally produced continuously in stars and the earth's atmosphere. Experiments to detect these neutrinos have consistently found fewer neutrinos than are produced. So where did they go? There is evidence that these 'missing' neutrinos have changed or 'oscillated' into different types of neutrino, that are not detected. More recently, experiments involving man-made neutrinos have demonstrated similar neutrino oscillation behaviour. For each particle type in nature, there is a corresponding anti-particle type - the anti-particles together are known as anti-matter. So, for each of the three types of neutrinos, there is a corresponding type of anti-neutrino. Of particular interest is the question of whether the oscillations of anti-neutrinos are the same as those of neutrinos, or do the anti-neutrinos behave differently? This question is believed to be related to the fact that the observable universe today is composed almost entirely of matter, whereas the Big Bang which created the Universe 14 billion years ago should have created equal amounts of matter and anti-matter. The mystery of where the anti-matter has gone could be explained by a difference in the oscillation behaviour of neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. This question can only be answered by making ultra-sensitive measurements of neutrino oscillations using high-intensity man-made beams of neutrinos. The ultimate goal of the proposed research is to produce the most intense beams of neutrinos ever created by man in a 'Neutrino Factory'. These beams of neutrinos will be directed at various angles through the Earth, to different detectors in several parts of the world, allowing the neutrino oscillations to be measured over different distances. This will allow the properties of the neutrinos to be determined far more precisely than ever before, and will allow us to answer the fundamental question of whether the oscillations of neutrinos and anti-neutrinos are the same or not. This should solve the puzzle of where the anti-matter created at the Big Bang has gone, and therefore help to explain the existence of the universe as we know it today.
Publications
Adams D
(2013)
Characterisation of the muon beams for the Muon Ionisation Cooling Experiment
in The European Physical Journal C
Adey D
(2014)
Light sterile neutrino sensitivity at the nuSTORM facility
in Physical Review D
Ahmad A
(2014)
Generic study on the design and operation of high power targets
in Physical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams
Apollonio M
(2010)
Measurements of forward proton production with incident protons and charged pions on nuclear targets at the CERN Proton Synchroton
in Physical Review C
Apollonio M
(2009)
Forward production of charged pions with incident protons on nuclear targets at the CERN Proton Synchrotron
in Physical Review C
Apollonio M
(2009)
Forward production of charged pions with incident p ± on nuclear targets measured at the CERN PS
in Nuclear Physics A
Apollonio M
(2009)
Large-angle production of charged pions with incident pion beams on nuclear targets
in Physical Review C
Apollonio M
(2009)
Comparison of large-angle production of charged pions with incident protons on cylindrical long and short targets
in Physical Review C
Bennett J
(2011)
Lifetime and strength tests of tantalum and tungsten under thermal shock for a Neutrino Factory target
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Bennett J
(2008)
Thermal shock measurements and modelling for solid high-power targets at high temperatures
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Bogomilov M
(2014)
Neutrino factory
in Physical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams
Bogomilov M
(2017)
Lattice design and expected performance of the Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment demonstration of ionization cooling
in Physical Review Accelerators and Beams
Catanesi M
(2008)
Large-angle production of charged pions by 3-12.9 GeV/c protons on beryllium, aluminium and lead targets
in The European Physical Journal C
Catanesi M
(2008)
Large-angle production of charged pions with 3-12.9 GeV/ c incident protons on nuclear targets
in Physical Review C
Catanesi M
(2008)
Forward p ± production in p-O2 and p-N2 interactions at 12 GeV/c
in Astroparticle Physics
Catanesi M
(2008)
Measurement of the production cross-sections of p ± in p-C and p ± -C interactions at 12 GeV/c
in Astroparticle Physics
Catanesi M
(2008)
Absolute momentum calibration of the HARP TPC
in Journal of Instrumentation
Dobbs A
(2016)
The reconstruction software for the MICE scintillating fibre trackers
in Journal of Instrumentation
Edgecock R
(2010)
Overview of solid target studies for a neutrino factory
in IPAC 2010 - 1st International Particle Accelerator Conference
Skoro GP
(2010)
Tungsten behaviour at high temperature and high stress
in IPAC 2010 - 1st International Particle Accelerator Conference
Skoro GP
(2009)
Solid target for a neutrino factory
in European Strategy for Future Neutrino Physics 2009, Proceedings
Škoro G
(2011)
Dynamic Young's moduli of tungsten and tantalum at high temperature and stress
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Škoro G
(2012)
Yield strength of molybdenum, tantalum and tungsten at high strain rates and very high temperatures
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Description | A better understanding has been obtained of the properties of materials under extreme thermal shock. This has enabled decisions to be made about appropriate materials for the targets of future accelerators which are subject to extremely intense particle beams. IN addition, new techniques have been developed for measuring transient properties of materials at high temperatures. |
Exploitation Route | The work is continuing, with the techniques applied by other groups looking at targets for a Neutrino Factory or intense neutron source. |
Sectors | Energy Other |
Description | Project grant |
Amount | £392,234 (GBP) |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2008 |
End | 03/2012 |
Description | UK Neutrino factory target |
Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
Department | Particle Physics Department |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Intellectual input; management of experimental work; simulation studies; analysis of data |
Collaborator Contribution | Simulation studies |
Impact | Publications on high temperature transient properties of tungsten and tantalum |
Description | UK Neutrino factory target |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Intellectual input; management of experimental work; simulation studies; analysis of data |
Collaborator Contribution | Simulation studies |
Impact | Publications on high temperature transient properties of tungsten and tantalum |
Description | Warwick |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Catalogue searech and observing support on large telescopes. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of modelling expertise |
Impact | Paper cited above |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Poster session, RAL |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Presentation to local MP, accompanied by press. Not known. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | UKNF & MICE Poster exhibitions |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Poster Presentation |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Visitors to RAL expressed interest in the research described. N/A |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2012,2013 |