Enhancing Constraints on the Neutrino Oscillation Parameters Using Atmospheric Neutrinos at Super-Kamiokande and Developing the Hyper-Kamiokande Outer

My overall project will be split into two main parts, as indicated by the thesis title. The first part of my project will involve conducting data analysis on neutrino oscillation measurements at Super-Kamiokande (Super-K). Specifically, I will study the fast oscillation behaviour of low energy up-going atmospheric neutrinos with long baselines through the earth by updating the algorithm used to calculate their oscillation probabilities. I will then implement this into the atmospheric oscillation framework along with other methods to improve the analysis of the current phase of Super-K, where the detector is loaded with 0.03% gadolinium, to place more accurate constraints on neutrino oscillation parameters.

I am also performing research into low energy calibration for Super-K, both through helping with the Deuterium-Tritium calibration onsite, and through implementing the Deuterium-Tritium generator into the SKG4 simulation software.The motivation for this is to act as part of the upgrade from the previous Geant3 based software. This involves implementing the structure of the generator into the Geant4 based program, and the simulating the physical effects of a calibration run, which can then be compared to real data.

The second main part details my work on the development of the Hyper-Kamiokande outer detector. This will involve using simulated data to develop a clustering algorithm for incoming muons which need to be vetoed. Additionally to help with development of the OD, I would be testing and making measurements on various pieces of hardware that could be used in its construction. For example this would involve taking PMT gain measurements which would help to optimise which PMTs are eventually used. I will also be working on similar studies into optimising the parameters of the wavelength shifting plates, by testing the effects that candidate WLS plate samples have on the dark rate of PMTs, and also taking detailed measurements of their optical properties.