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Operation and performance of ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon time projection chamber
Authors:
DUNE Collaboration,
S. Abbaslu,
F. Abd Alrahman,
A. Abed Abud,
R. Acciarri,
L. P. Accorsi,
M. A. Acero,
M. R. Adames,
G. Adamov,
M. Adamowski,
K. Adhikari,
C. Adriano,
K. Agudelo-Jaramillo,
F. Akbar,
F. Alemanno,
N. S. Alex,
L. Aliaga Soplin,
A. Alqaisi,
M. Alrashed,
A. Alton,
R. Alvarez,
T. Alves,
A. Aman,
H. Amar,
R. Amarinei
, et al. (1341 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
ProtoDUNE-DP was the largest ever built Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) operating in Dual-Phase (DP) mode, with a liquid target and charge read-out placed in the gas. It had an active volume of $6\times6\times6$\,m$^3$ corresponding to an active mass of 300\,t (total LAr mass of 720\,t), constructed at the CERN Neutrino Platform and took data from 2019 to 2020 with cosmic muons. In P…
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ProtoDUNE-DP was the largest ever built Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) operating in Dual-Phase (DP) mode, with a liquid target and charge read-out placed in the gas. It had an active volume of $6\times6\times6$\,m$^3$ corresponding to an active mass of 300\,t (total LAr mass of 720\,t), constructed at the CERN Neutrino Platform and took data from 2019 to 2020 with cosmic muons. In ProtoDUNE-DP the electric drift field is oriented in the vertical direction, causing the electrons to drift vertically towards the anode at the top. The ionization charge is then extracted into the gaseous argon above the liquid surface, amplified by Townsend avalanches, and collected by the charge readout planes. The detector experienced significant technical problems affecting the long-term operation of the Charge Readout Planes, formed by the Large Electron Multipliers, but other critical segments demonstrated required performance including the delivery of -300 kV to the TPC cathode, verification of replaceable charge read-out electronics, and operation of the photon detection system. ProtoDUNE-DP experience resulted in improved designs of the Vertical Drift LArTPC.
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Submitted 21 July, 2026; v1 submitted 17 July, 2026;
originally announced July 2026.
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Production and installation of wavelength-shifting reflective light enhancers for the Short-Baseline Near Detector
Authors:
R. Acciarri,
L. Aliaga-Soplin,
R. Alvarez-Garrote,
D. Andrade Aldana,
C. Andreopoulos,
A. Antonakis,
S. Balasubramanian,
A. Barnard,
V. Basque,
J. Bateman,
M. C. Bazetto,
A. Beever,
E. Belchior,
M. Betancourt,
A. Bhat,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
D. Brailsford,
A. Brandt,
S. Brickner,
M. B. Brunetti,
L. Camilleri,
D. Caratelli,
D. Carber
, et al. (172 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We report on the design, production, and installation of a wavelength-shifting reflective system on the cathode of the Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND), a liquid argon time projection chamber located along the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam. To increase and homogenize scintillation-light collection, 64 double-sided plates were fabricated from FR4, laminated with specular reflector film and coat…
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We report on the design, production, and installation of a wavelength-shifting reflective system on the cathode of the Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND), a liquid argon time projection chamber located along the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam. To increase and homogenize scintillation-light collection, 64 double-sided plates were fabricated from FR4, laminated with specular reflector film and coated with 300 $μ$g/cm$^2$ of tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB) wavelength shifter using controlled physical vapor deposition. The coating uniformity was validated through dedicated measurements of deposited mass and profilometry studies. Because exposure to ambient blue/UV light could degrade the TPB, protective filtering and controlled storage conditions were implemented during handling and installation. The coated plates were assembled between conductive meshes for high-voltage compatibility and installed in situ during detector integration. This system constitutes the largest TPB-coated area deployed in a neutrino detector. It operates in conjunction with SBND's photon detection system, which consists of photomultiplier tubes and X-ARAPUCAs. Early light-collection measurements show high uniformity and light response across the detector, supporting improved triggering, calorimetry, and position reconstruction in SBND.
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Submitted 24 June, 2026;
originally announced June 2026.
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Characterizing the energy resolution of the MicroBooNE LArTPC at the MeV scale using monoenergetic features of $^{208}$Tl decays
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
D. Andrade Aldana,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
A. Barnard,
G. Barr,
D. Barrow,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
J. Bateman,
B. Behera,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
V. Bhelande,
A. Binau,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
M. B. Brunetti
, et al. (167 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
A detailed understanding of the capabilities and fidelity of low-energy reconstruction is crucial for taking advantage of MeV-scale neutrino physics opportunities in liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs). This study presents a measurement of the resolution of reconstructed energy in the MicroBooNE LArTPC at $\approx 1.5$ MeV. The characterization is performed using monoenergetic signals…
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A detailed understanding of the capabilities and fidelity of low-energy reconstruction is crucial for taking advantage of MeV-scale neutrino physics opportunities in liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs). This study presents a measurement of the resolution of reconstructed energy in the MicroBooNE LArTPC at $\approx 1.5$ MeV. The characterization is performed using monoenergetic signals generated by $2.614$ MeV $γ$-rays from $^{208}$Tl decays undergoing pair production in the detector. The resolution is found to be ($7.52 \pm 0.78 \text{(stat)} \pm 0.92 \text{(syst)}$)%. This value is consistent with the MicroBooNE simulation prediction of ($9.70 \pm 0.65 \text{(stat)}$)% at the $1.6 σ$ level. This study represents the first ever measurement of LArTPC energy resolution at the MeV scale and provides a pathway for monoenergetic energy calibrations in future experiments using LArTPC detectors.
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Submitted 17 August, 2026; v1 submitted 28 May, 2026;
originally announced May 2026.
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Charge readout electronics for the DUNE horizontal drift far detector: design and performance in ProtoDUNE-HD
Authors:
DUNE Collaboration,
S. Abbaslu,
F. Abd Alrahman,
A. Abed Abud,
R. Acciarri,
L. P. Accorsi,
M. A. Acero,
M. R. Adames,
G. Adamov,
M. Adamowski,
K. Adhikari,
C. Adriano,
K. Agudelo-Jaramillo,
F. Akbar,
F. Alemanno,
N. S. Alex,
L. Aliaga Soplin,
A. Alqaisi,
M. Alrashed,
A. Alton,
R. Alvarez,
T. Alves,
A. Aman,
H. Amar,
R. Amarinei
, et al. (1346 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment currently under construction, whose far detectors will be the largest liquid argon time projection chambers ever built. This detector design calls for custom-built cryogenic front-end electronics to meet its performance requirements. This paper describes the charge readout electronics that will be used i…
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DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment currently under construction, whose far detectors will be the largest liquid argon time projection chambers ever built. This detector design calls for custom-built cryogenic front-end electronics to meet its performance requirements. This paper describes the charge readout electronics that will be used in the DUNE horizontal drift (HD) far detector and presents performance results using data from the ProtoDUNE-HD detector, a 770 ton liquid argon time projection chamber operated at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2024 that served as the final prototype of the DUNE HD design.
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Submitted 12 August, 2026; v1 submitted 26 April, 2026;
originally announced April 2026.
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Scintillation light calibrations, systematic uncertainties, and triggering efficiency in the MicroBooNE detector
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
D. Andrade Aldana,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
A. Barnard,
G. Barr,
D. Barrow,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
J. Bateman,
B. Behera,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
V. Bhelande,
A. Binau,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton
, et al. (169 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
Scintillation light, produced alongside ionisation charge from particle interactions, plays a critical role in liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) detectors. A detailed understanding of its production and detection mechanisms is essential for robust calibration, systematic uncertainty evaluation, and physics analysis. This article describes the MicroBooNE light simulation, light-based tr…
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Scintillation light, produced alongside ionisation charge from particle interactions, plays a critical role in liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) detectors. A detailed understanding of its production and detection mechanisms is essential for robust calibration, systematic uncertainty evaluation, and physics analysis. This article describes the MicroBooNE light simulation, light-based triggering schemes, photomultiplier tube gain calibration, light response stability, and light-based systematic uncertainties over the course of five years of data collection. In addition, we present a measurement of scintillation light triggering efficiency, focusing on the lowest-light regime relevant to rare-event searches and low-energy neutrino interactions. Finally, we discuss two notable observations in MicroBooNE's data, both reported here for the first time: an approximately 50% decline in MicroBooNE's light yield over time, concentrated in the first two years of running; and a higher than expected O(200 kHz) rate of single photoelectron noise. The results presented provide an important benchmark of long-term light detection performance in LArTPC neutrino detectors.
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Submitted 24 March, 2026;
originally announced March 2026.
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Operation of a Modular 3D-Pixelated Liquid Argon Time-Projection Chamber in a Neutrino Beam
Authors:
DUNE Collaboration,
S. Abbaslu,
A. Abed Abud,
R. Acciarri,
L. P. Accorsi,
M. A. Acero,
M. R. Adames,
G. Adamov,
M. Adamowski,
C. Adriano,
F. Akbar,
F. Alemanno,
N. S. Alex,
K. Allison,
M. Alrashed,
A. Alton,
R. Alvarez,
T. Alves,
A. Aman,
H. Amar,
P. Amedo,
J. Anderson,
D. A. Andrade,
C. Andreopoulos,
M. Andreotti
, et al. (1299 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The 2x2 Demonstrator, a prototype for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) liquid argon (LAr) Near Detector, was exposed to the Neutrinos from the Main Injector (NuMI) neutrino beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). This detector prototypes a new modular design for a liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC), comprised of a two-by-two array of four modules, each f…
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The 2x2 Demonstrator, a prototype for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) liquid argon (LAr) Near Detector, was exposed to the Neutrinos from the Main Injector (NuMI) neutrino beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). This detector prototypes a new modular design for a liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC), comprised of a two-by-two array of four modules, each further segmented into two optically-isolated LArTPCs. The 2x2 Demonstrator features a number of pioneering technologies, including a low-profile resistive field shell to establish drift fields, native 3D ionization pixelated imaging, and a high-coverage dielectric light readout system. The 2.4 tonne active mass detector is flanked upstream and downstream by supplemental solid-scintillator tracking planes, repurposed from the MINERvA experiment, which track ionizing particles exiting the argon volume. The antineutrino beam data collected by the detector over a 4.5 day period in 2024 include over 30,000 neutrino interactions in the LAr active volume-the first neutrino interactions reported by a DUNE detector prototype. During its physics-quality run, the 2x2 Demonstrator operated at a nominal drift field of 500 V/cm and maintained good LAr purity, with a stable electron lifetime of approximately 1.25 ms. This paper describes the detector and supporting systems, summarizes the installation and commissioning, and presents the initial validation of collected NuMI beam and off-beam self-triggers. In addition, it highlights observed interactions in the detector volume, including candidate muon anti-neutrino events.
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Submitted 17 June, 2026; v1 submitted 6 September, 2025;
originally announced September 2025.
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Spatial and Temporal Evaluations of the Liquid Argon Purity in ProtoDUNE-SP
Authors:
DUNE Collaboration,
S. Abbaslu,
A. Abed Abud,
R. Acciarri,
L. P. Accorsi,
M. A. Acero,
M. R. Adames,
G. Adamov,
M. Adamowski,
C. Adriano,
F. Akbar,
F. Alemanno,
N. S. Alex,
K. Allison,
M. Alrashed,
A. Alton,
R. Alvarez,
T. Alves,
A. Aman,
H. Amar,
P. Amedo,
J. Anderson,
D. A. Andrade,
C. Andreopoulos,
M. Andreotti
, et al. (1301 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
Liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) rely on highly pure argon to ensure that ionization electrons produced by charged particles reach readout arrays. ProtoDUNE Single-Phase (ProtoDUNE-SP) was an approximately 700-ton liquid argon detector intended to prototype the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Far Detector Horizontal Drift module. It contains two drift volumes bisected by…
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Liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) rely on highly pure argon to ensure that ionization electrons produced by charged particles reach readout arrays. ProtoDUNE Single-Phase (ProtoDUNE-SP) was an approximately 700-ton liquid argon detector intended to prototype the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Far Detector Horizontal Drift module. It contains two drift volumes bisected by the cathode plane assembly, which is biased to create an almost uniform electric field in both volumes. The DUNE Far Detector modules must have robust cryogenic systems capable of filtering argon and supplying the TPC with clean liquid. This paper will explore comparisons of the argon purity measured by the purity monitors with those measured using muons in the TPC from October 2018 to November 2018. A new method is introduced to measure the liquid argon purity in the TPC using muons crossing both drift volumes of ProtoDUNE-SP. For extended periods on the timescale of weeks, the drift electron lifetime was measured to be above 30 ms using both systems. A particular focus will be placed on the measured purity of argon as a function of position in the detector.
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Submitted 27 August, 2025; v1 submitted 11 July, 2025;
originally announced July 2025.
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European Contributions to Fermilab Accelerator Upgrades and Facilities for the DUNE Experiment
Authors:
DUNE Collaboration,
A. Abed Abud,
R. Acciarri,
M. A. Acero,
M. R. Adames,
G. Adamov,
M. Adamowski,
D. Adams,
M. Adinolfi,
C. Adriano,
A. Aduszkiewicz,
J. Aguilar,
F. Akbar,
F. Alemanno,
N. S. Alex,
K. Allison,
M. Alrashed,
A. Alton,
R. Alvarez,
T. Alves,
A. Aman,
H. Amar,
P. Amedo,
J. Anderson,
D. A. Andrade
, et al. (1322 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The Proton Improvement Plan (PIP-II) to the FNAL accelerator chain and the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) will provide the world's most intense neutrino beam to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) enabling a wide-ranging physics program. This document outlines the significant contributions made by European national laboratories and institutes towards realizing the first phase o…
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The Proton Improvement Plan (PIP-II) to the FNAL accelerator chain and the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) will provide the world's most intense neutrino beam to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) enabling a wide-ranging physics program. This document outlines the significant contributions made by European national laboratories and institutes towards realizing the first phase of the project with a 1.2 MW neutrino beam. Construction of this first phase is well underway. For DUNE Phase II, this will be closely followed by an upgrade of the beam power to > 2 MW, for which the European groups again have a key role and which will require the continued support of the European community for machine aspects of neutrino physics. Beyond the neutrino beam aspects, LBNF is also responsible for providing unique infrastructure to install and operate the DUNE neutrino detectors at FNAL and at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The cryostats for the first two Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber detector modules at SURF, a contribution of CERN to LBNF, are central to the success of the ongoing execution of DUNE Phase I. Likewise, successful and timely procurement of cryostats for two additional detector modules at SURF will be critical to the success of DUNE Phase II and the overall physics program. The DUNE Collaboration is submitting four main contributions to the 2026 Update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics process. This paper is being submitted to the 'Accelerator technologies' and 'Projects and Large Experiments' streams. Additional inputs related to the DUNE science program, DUNE detector technologies and R&D, and DUNE software and computing, are also being submitted to other streams.
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Submitted 31 March, 2025;
originally announced March 2025.
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DUNE Software and Computing Research and Development
Authors:
DUNE Collaboration,
A. Abed Abud,
R. Acciarri,
M. A. Acero,
M. R. Adames,
G. Adamov,
M. Adamowski,
D. Adams,
M. Adinolfi,
C. Adriano,
A. Aduszkiewicz,
J. Aguilar,
F. Akbar,
F. Alemanno,
N. S. Alex,
K. Allison,
M. Alrashed,
A. Alton,
R. Alvarez,
T. Alves,
A. Aman,
H. Amar,
P. Amedo,
J. Anderson,
D. A. Andrade
, et al. (1322 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The international collaboration designing and constructing the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) has developed a two-phase strategy toward the implementation of this leading-edge, large-scale science project. The ambitious physics program of Phase I and Phase II of DUNE is dependent upon deployment and utilization of significant computing res…
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The international collaboration designing and constructing the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) has developed a two-phase strategy toward the implementation of this leading-edge, large-scale science project. The ambitious physics program of Phase I and Phase II of DUNE is dependent upon deployment and utilization of significant computing resources, and successful research and development of software (both infrastructure and algorithmic) in order to achieve these scientific goals. This submission discusses the computing resources projections, infrastructure support, and software development needed for DUNE during the coming decades as an input to the European Strategy for Particle Physics Update for 2026. The DUNE collaboration is submitting four main contributions to the 2026 Update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics process. This submission to the 'Computing' stream focuses on DUNE software and computing. Additional inputs related to the DUNE science program, DUNE detector technologies and R&D, and European contributions to Fermilab accelerator upgrades and facilities for the DUNE experiment, are also being submitted to other streams.
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Submitted 31 March, 2025;
originally announced March 2025.
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The DUNE Phase II Detectors
Authors:
DUNE Collaboration,
A. Abed Abud,
R. Acciarri,
M. A. Acero,
M. R. Adames,
G. Adamov,
M. Adamowski,
D. Adams,
M. Adinolfi,
C. Adriano,
A. Aduszkiewicz,
J. Aguilar,
F. Akbar,
F. Alemanno,
N. S. Alex,
K. Allison,
M. Alrashed,
A. Alton,
R. Alvarez,
T. Alves,
A. Aman,
H. Amar,
P. Amedo,
J. Anderson,
D. A. Andrade
, et al. (1322 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The international collaboration designing and constructing the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) has developed a two-phase strategy for the implementation of this leading-edge, large-scale science project. The 2023 report of the US Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5) reaffirmed this vision and strongly endorsed DUNE Phase I and…
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The international collaboration designing and constructing the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) has developed a two-phase strategy for the implementation of this leading-edge, large-scale science project. The 2023 report of the US Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5) reaffirmed this vision and strongly endorsed DUNE Phase I and Phase II, as did the previous European Strategy for Particle Physics. The construction of DUNE Phase I is well underway. DUNE Phase II consists of a third and fourth far detector module, an upgraded near detector complex, and an enhanced > 2 MW beam. The fourth FD module is conceived as a 'Module of Opportunity', aimed at supporting the core DUNE science program while also expanding the physics opportunities with more advanced technologies. The DUNE collaboration is submitting four main contributions to the 2026 Update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics process. This submission to the 'Detector instrumentation' stream focuses on technologies and R&D for the DUNE Phase II detectors. Additional inputs related to the DUNE science program, DUNE software and computing, and European contributions to Fermilab accelerator upgrades and facilities for the DUNE experiment, are also being submitted to other streams.
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Submitted 29 March, 2025;
originally announced March 2025.
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Improving neutrino energy estimation of charged-current interaction events with recurrent neural networks in MicroBooNE
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
O. Alterkait,
D. Andrade Aldana,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
A. Barnard,
G. Barr,
D. Barrow,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
J. Bateman,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhanderi,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
J. Y. Book
, et al. (164 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We present a deep learning-based method for estimating the neutrino energy of charged-current neutrino-argon interactions. We employ a recurrent neural network (RNN) architecture for neutrino energy estimation in the MicroBooNE experiment, utilizing liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) detector technology. Traditional energy estimation approaches in LArTPCs, which largely rely on reconstr…
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We present a deep learning-based method for estimating the neutrino energy of charged-current neutrino-argon interactions. We employ a recurrent neural network (RNN) architecture for neutrino energy estimation in the MicroBooNE experiment, utilizing liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) detector technology. Traditional energy estimation approaches in LArTPCs, which largely rely on reconstructing and summing visible energies, often experience sizable biases and resolution smearing because of the complex nature of neutrino interactions and the detector response. The estimation of neutrino energy can be improved after considering the kinematics information of reconstructed final-state particles. Utilizing kinematic information of reconstructed particles, the deep learning-based approach shows improved resolution and reduced bias for the muon neutrino Monte Carlo simulation sample compared to the traditional approach. In order to address the common concern about the effectiveness of this method on experimental data, the RNN-based energy estimator is further examined and validated with dedicated data-simulation consistency tests using MicroBooNE data. We also assess its potential impact on a neutrino oscillation study after accounting for all statistical and systematic uncertainties and show that it enhances physics sensitivity. This method has good potential to improve the performance of other physics analyses.
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Submitted 14 June, 2024;
originally announced June 2024.
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Scintillation Light in SBND: Simulation, Reconstruction, and Expected Performance of the Photon Detection System
Authors:
SBND Collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
R. Acciarri,
C. Adams,
L. Aliaga-Soplin,
O. Alterkait,
R. Alvarez-Garrote,
C. Andreopoulos,
A. Antonakis,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
W. Badgett,
S. Balasubramanian,
V. Basque,
A. Beever,
B. Behera,
E. Belchior,
M. Betancourt,
A. Bhat,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
J. Bogenschuetz,
D. Brailsford,
A. Brandt
, et al. (158 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
SBND is the near detector of the Short-Baseline Neutrino program at Fermilab. Its location near to the Booster Neutrino Beam source and relatively large mass will allow the study of neutrino interactions on argon with unprecedented statistics. This paper describes the expected performance of the SBND photon detection system, using a simulated sample of beam neutrinos and cosmogenic particles. Its…
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SBND is the near detector of the Short-Baseline Neutrino program at Fermilab. Its location near to the Booster Neutrino Beam source and relatively large mass will allow the study of neutrino interactions on argon with unprecedented statistics. This paper describes the expected performance of the SBND photon detection system, using a simulated sample of beam neutrinos and cosmogenic particles. Its design is a dual readout concept combining a system of 120 photomultiplier tubes, used for triggering, with a system of 192 X-ARAPUCA devices, located behind the anode wire planes. Furthermore, covering the cathode plane with highly-reflective panels coated with a wavelength-shifting compound recovers part of the light emitted towards the cathode, where no optical detectors exist. We show how this new design provides a high light yield and a more uniform detection efficiency, an excellent timing resolution and an independent 3D-position reconstruction using only the scintillation light. Finally, the whole reconstruction chain is applied to recover the temporal structure of the beam spill, which is resolved with a resolution on the order of nanoseconds.
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Submitted 11 June, 2024;
originally announced June 2024.
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Measurement of the differential cross section for neutral pion production in charged-current muon neutrino interactions on argon with the MicroBooNE detector
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
O. Alterkait,
D. Andrade Aldana,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
G. Barr,
D. Barrow,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhanderi,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
J. Y. Book,
M. B. Brunetti,
L. Camilleri
, et al. (163 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We present a measurement of neutral pion production in charged-current interactions using data recorded with the MicroBooNE detector exposed to Fermilab's booster neutrino beam. The signal comprises one muon, one neutral pion, any number of nucleons, and no charged pions. Studying neutral pion production in the MicroBooNE detector provides an opportunity to better understand neutrino-argon interac…
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We present a measurement of neutral pion production in charged-current interactions using data recorded with the MicroBooNE detector exposed to Fermilab's booster neutrino beam. The signal comprises one muon, one neutral pion, any number of nucleons, and no charged pions. Studying neutral pion production in the MicroBooNE detector provides an opportunity to better understand neutrino-argon interactions, and is crucial for future accelerator-based neutrino oscillation experiments. Using a dataset corresponding to $6.86 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target, we present single-differential cross sections in muon and neutral pion momenta, scattering angles with respect to the beam for the outgoing muon and neutral pion, as well as the opening angle between the muon and neutral pion. Data extracted cross sections are compared to generator predictions. We report good agreement between the data and the models for scattering angles, except for an over-prediction by generators at muon forward angles. Similarly, the agreement between data and the models as a function of momentum is good, except for an underprediction by generators in the medium momentum ranges, $200-400$ MeV for muons and $100-200$ MeV for pions.
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Submitted 6 May, 2024; v1 submitted 15 April, 2024;
originally announced April 2024.
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Search for heavy neutral leptons in electron-positron and neutral-pion final states with the MicroBooNE detector
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
O. Alterkait,
D. Andrade Aldana,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
G. Barr,
D. Barrow,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhanderi,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
J. Y. Book,
M. B. Brunetti,
L. Camilleri
, et al. (163 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We present the first search for heavy neutral leptons (HNL) decaying into $νe^+e^-$ or $νπ^0$ final states in a liquid-argon time projection chamber using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector. The data were recorded synchronously with the NuMI neutrino beam from Fermilab's Main Injector corresponding to a total exposure of $7.01 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target. We set upper limits at the…
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We present the first search for heavy neutral leptons (HNL) decaying into $νe^+e^-$ or $νπ^0$ final states in a liquid-argon time projection chamber using data collected with the MicroBooNE detector. The data were recorded synchronously with the NuMI neutrino beam from Fermilab's Main Injector corresponding to a total exposure of $7.01 \times 10^{20}$ protons on target. We set upper limits at the $90\%$ confidence level on the mixing parameter $\lvert U_{μ4}\rvert^2$ in the mass ranges $10\le m_{\rm HNL}\le 150$ MeV for the $νe^+e^-$ channel and $150\le m_{\rm HNL}\le 245$ MeV for the $νπ^0$ channel, assuming $\lvert U_{e 4}\rvert^2 = \lvert U_{τ4}\rvert^2 = 0$. These limits represent the most stringent constraints in the mass range $35<m_{\rm HNL}<175$ MeV and the first constraints from a direct search for $νπ^0$ decays.
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Submitted 12 January, 2024; v1 submitted 11 October, 2023;
originally announced October 2023.
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Measurement of three-dimensional inclusive muon-neutrino charged-current cross sections on argon with the MicroBooNE detector
Authors:
MicroBooNE Collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
O. Alterkait,
D. Andrade Aldana,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
G. Barr,
D. Barrow,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhanderi,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
J. Y. Book,
L. Camilleri,
Y. Cao
, et al. (165 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We report the measurement of the differential cross section $d^{2}σ(E_ν)/ d\cos(θ_μ) dP_μ$ for inclusive muon-neutrino charged-current scattering on argon. This measurement utilizes data from 6.4$\times10^{20}$ protons on target of exposure collected using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber located along the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam with a mean neutrino energy of approximate…
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We report the measurement of the differential cross section $d^{2}σ(E_ν)/ d\cos(θ_μ) dP_μ$ for inclusive muon-neutrino charged-current scattering on argon. This measurement utilizes data from 6.4$\times10^{20}$ protons on target of exposure collected using the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber located along the Fermilab Booster Neutrino Beam with a mean neutrino energy of approximately 0.8~GeV. The mapping from reconstructed kinematics to truth quantities, particularly from reconstructed to true neutrino energy, is validated within uncertainties by comparing the distribution of reconstructed hadronic energy in data to that of the model prediction in different muon scattering angle bins after applying a conditional constraint from the muon momentum distribution in data. The success of this validation gives confidence that the missing energy in the MicroBooNE detector is well-modeled within uncertainties in simulation, enabling the unfolding to a three-dimensional measurement over muon momentum, muon scattering angle, and neutrino energy. The unfolded measurement covers an extensive phase space, providing a wealth of information useful for future liquid argon time projection chamber experiments measuring neutrino oscillations. Comparisons against a number of commonly used model predictions are included and their performance in different parts of the available phase-space is discussed.
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Submitted 26 November, 2025; v1 submitted 12 July, 2023;
originally announced July 2023.
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Measurement of ambient radon progeny decay rates and energy spectra in liquid argon using the MicroBooNE detector
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
O. Alterkait,
D. Andrade Aldana,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
G. Barr,
D. Barrow,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhanderi,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
J. Y. Book,
L. Camilleri,
Y. Cao
, et al. (166 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We report measurements of radon progeny in liquid argon within the MicroBooNE time projection chamber (LArTPC). The presence of specific radon daughters in MicroBooNE's 85 metric tons of active liquid argon bulk is probed with newly developed charge-based low-energy reconstruction tools and analysis techniques to detect correlated $^{214}$Bi-$^{214}$Po radioactive decays. Special datasets taken du…
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We report measurements of radon progeny in liquid argon within the MicroBooNE time projection chamber (LArTPC). The presence of specific radon daughters in MicroBooNE's 85 metric tons of active liquid argon bulk is probed with newly developed charge-based low-energy reconstruction tools and analysis techniques to detect correlated $^{214}$Bi-$^{214}$Po radioactive decays. Special datasets taken during periods of active radon doping enable new demonstrations of the calorimetric capabilities of single-phase neutrino LArTPCs for $β$ and $α$ particles with electron-equivalent energies ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 MeV. By applying $^{214}$Bi-$^{214}$Po detection algorithms to data recorded over a 46-day period, no statistically significant presence of radioactive $^{214}$Bi is detected, and a limit on the activity is placed at $<0.35$ mBq/kg at the 95% confidence level. This bulk $^{214}$Bi radiopurity limit -- the first ever reported for a liquid argon detector incorporating liquid-phase purification -- is then further discussed in relation to the targeted upper limit of 1 mBq/kg on bulk $^{222}$Rn activity for the DUNE neutrino detector.
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Submitted 22 March, 2024; v1 submitted 6 July, 2023;
originally announced July 2023.
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First measurement of $η$ production in neutrino interactions on argon with MicroBooNE
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
O. Alterkait,
D. Andrade Aldana,
J. Anthony,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
G. Barr,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhanderi,
A. Bhat,
M. Bhattacharya,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
J. Y. Book,
L. Camilleri,
Y. Cao
, et al. (164 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We present a measurement of $η$ production from neutrino interactions on argon with the MicroBooNE detector. The modeling of resonant neutrino interactions on argon is a critical aspect of the neutrino oscillation physics program being carried out by the DUNE and Short Baseline Neutrino programs. $η$ production in neutrino interactions provides a powerful new probe of resonant interactions, comple…
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We present a measurement of $η$ production from neutrino interactions on argon with the MicroBooNE detector. The modeling of resonant neutrino interactions on argon is a critical aspect of the neutrino oscillation physics program being carried out by the DUNE and Short Baseline Neutrino programs. $η$ production in neutrino interactions provides a powerful new probe of resonant interactions, complementary to pion channels, and is particularly suited to the study of higher-order resonances beyond the $Δ(1232)$. We measure a flux-integrated cross section for neutrino-induced $η$ production on argon of $3.22 \pm 0.84 \; \textrm{(stat.)} \pm 0.86 \; \textrm{(syst.)}$ $10^{-41}{\textrm{cm}}^{2}$/nucleon. By demonstrating the successful reconstruction of the two photons resulting from $η$ production, this analysis enables a novel calibration technique for electromagnetic showers in GeV accelerator neutrino experiments.
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Submitted 4 May, 2024; v1 submitted 25 May, 2023;
originally announced May 2023.
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First demonstration of $\mathcal{O}(1\,\text{ns})$ timing resolution in the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber
Authors:
MicroBooNE collaboration,
P. Abratenko,
O. Alterkait,
D. Andrade Aldana,
J. Anthony,
L. Arellano,
J. Asaadi,
A. Ashkenazi,
S. Balasubramanian,
B. Baller,
G. Barr,
J. Barrow,
V. Basque,
O. Benevides Rodrigues,
S. Berkman,
A. Bhanderi,
M. Bhattacharya,
M. Bishai,
A. Blake,
B. Bogart,
T. Bolton,
J. Y. Book,
L. Camilleri,
Y. Cao,
D. Caratelli
, et al. (163 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
MicroBooNE is a neutrino experiment located in the Booster Neutrino Beamline (BNB) at Fermilab, which collected data from 2015 to 2021. MicroBooNE's liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) is accompanied by a photon detection system consisting of 32 photomultiplier tubes used to measure the argon scintillation light and determine the timing of neutrino interactions. Analysis techniques combi…
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MicroBooNE is a neutrino experiment located in the Booster Neutrino Beamline (BNB) at Fermilab, which collected data from 2015 to 2021. MicroBooNE's liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) is accompanied by a photon detection system consisting of 32 photomultiplier tubes used to measure the argon scintillation light and determine the timing of neutrino interactions. Analysis techniques combining light signals and reconstructed tracks are applied to achieve a neutrino interaction time resolution of $\mathcal{O}(1\,\text{ns})$. The result obtained allows MicroBooNE to access the ns neutrino pulse structure of the BNB for the first time. The timing resolution achieved will enable significant enhancement of cosmic background rejection for all neutrino analyses. Furthermore, the ns timing resolution opens new avenues to search for long-lived-particles such as heavy neutral leptons in MicroBooNE, as well as in future large LArTPC experiments, namely the SBN program and DUNE.
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Submitted 29 August, 2023; v1 submitted 4 April, 2023;
originally announced April 2023.