Sponsor
Physics
Michel Electron Studies in the DUNE Far Detector Prototype Detectors
Thursday, December 11,
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Speaker(s): Shuaixiang Zhang, Indiana University
Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is the next-generation accelerator neutrino experiment, aiming to solve the mysteries of neutrinos. To assess and verify the future operations of the DUNE 17-kiloton liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) Far Detector modules, ProtoDUNEs are built and operated at CERN.
In this talk, I will present my work on Michel electrons -- the decay products of stopping cosmic muons detected in ProtoDUNE. Michel electrons have well-characterized energy and timing structures (typically < 60 MeV), making them valuable low-energy calibration sources relevant for solar and supernova neutrino detection. Michel electrons also carry charge-sign information: stopping mu^+ always decay, whereas only ~25% of stopping mu^- decay, with the rest being captured by nucleus. This asymmetry enables data-driven separation of mu^+ and mu^- in liquid argon detectors, with implications for atmospheric nu_mu / anti-nu_mu identification.
I will show the light-charge joint reponse of Michel electrons, with particular emphasis on their optical signatures. Michel electrons are first identified using TPC charge information, and their corresponding optical signals are obtained through precise timing matching with the photon detection system (PDS). This procedure isolates PDS activity within the Michel time window and reveals the capability of the PDS to independently identify Michel electrons. The final dataset provides a high-purity sample with well-characterized optical features. Using this sample, I will also show a preliminary measurement of the mu^- decay lifetime in liquid argon.
In this talk, I will present my work on Michel electrons -- the decay products of stopping cosmic muons detected in ProtoDUNE. Michel electrons have well-characterized energy and timing structures (typically < 60 MeV), making them valuable low-energy calibration sources relevant for solar and supernova neutrino detection. Michel electrons also carry charge-sign information: stopping mu^+ always decay, whereas only ~25% of stopping mu^- decay, with the rest being captured by nucleus. This asymmetry enables data-driven separation of mu^+ and mu^- in liquid argon detectors, with implications for atmospheric nu_mu / anti-nu_mu identification.
I will show the light-charge joint reponse of Michel electrons, with particular emphasis on their optical signatures. Michel electrons are first identified using TPC charge information, and their corresponding optical signals are obtained through precise timing matching with the photon detection system (PDS). This procedure isolates PDS activity within the Michel time window and reveals the capability of the PDS to independently identify Michel electrons. The final dataset provides a high-purity sample with well-characterized optical features. Using this sample, I will also show a preliminary measurement of the mu^- decay lifetime in liquid argon.