Cross Section Systematics and Neutrino Oscialltion Analysis in DUNE

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, DUNE, is a flagship next-generation neutrino oscillation experiment, which aims to measure the oscillation of neutrinos with accuracy and precision that have never been achieved before. This will allow DUNE to study some of the biggest questions in neutrino physics such as the neutrino mass hierarchy and CP violation. Since DUNE will use liquid argon time projection chamber detector technology, one of the biggest challenges for DUNE will be understanding how neutrinos interact with argon nuclei. Because neutrinos are light, neutral particles they are impossible to see directly in particle detectors; we have to study them indirectly through the charged particles produced when a neutrino interacts with atoms inside the detector. Reliable modelling -- with well-motivated uncertainties -- of how exactly neutrinos interact is therefore vital for DUNE to answer deeper questions about the fundamental properties of these particles.

The Oxford Accelerator Neutrino Group is involved in DUNE in a number of ways: development work for the far detector and near detector data acquisitions systems, the DUNE-PRISM and MaCh3 oscillation frameworks, and in development of the interaction modelling and uncertainties.

The aim of this project is to improve DUNE's oscillation analysis framework, in order to produce a significantly more sophisticated sensitivity estimation than has been previously produced. A cornerstone of this improved oscillation analysis will be updated neutrino-argon interaction models and new uncertainty estimations. The aim is for the student to work within the DUNE interaction modelling and uncertainties group to implement more modern models of neutrino-argon interactions to the DUNE oscillation framework. A key component of this work is the uncertainties applied to the models, and in many cases new uncertainties may need to be developed to ensure the oscillation fit has the appropriate degrees of freedom. The student may evaluate necessary degrees of freedom using a combination of theoretical understanding and comparison of models to data, and may implement new uncertainties as required. Ultimately, this project aims to implement these improvements in the MaCh3 DUNE oscillation analysis (supported by other members of the Oxford Accelerator Neutrino group) in order to evaluate the impact on DUNE's overall oscillation sensitivity. The student will work within the DUNE collaboration, and this project will allow the student to gain strong experience in programming, data simulation, and analysis.