Neutrino Physics at MIT

最近有关电子味中微子的研究提出了许多有趣的问题。例如，在短基线处是否存在电子-中微子现象？缺失的混合矩阵参数的大小是多少，与电子味有关？通过电子-中微子的外观来探索的轻中微子扇区是否存在CP违逆？这些问题被认为是在中微子物理领域推进知识的首要任务。该奖项为学生和博士后提供了一系列中微子实验的支持，这些实验将分阶段进行：MiniBooNE， SciBooNE, Double Chooz， MicroBooNE和DAEDALUS。这些实验的选择是为了具有智力上的连贯性，并允许小组中的学生和博士后在他们的麻省理工学院的职业生涯中体验实验工作的所有阶段。麻省理工学院在MiniBooNE振荡分析和开发涉及无菌中微子的相关现象学模型方面发挥了核心作用。MiniBooNE的结果激发了人们对下一代短基线实验的兴趣，包括将使用最先进的液态氩技术解决MiniBooNE事件过度的MicroBooNE实验。麻省理工学院负责提供MicroBooNE上的光收集系统，并负责研发未来大型LAr探测器的第一个基于光导的检测系统。该小组在美国对Double Chooz数据的最后一个中微子混合角的分析中发挥了主导作用。麻省理工学院专门从事双Chooz监测，该奖项为一种新型定向中子监测仪DCTPC提供支持，该监测仪将在此拨款期间建造。DAEDALUS拥有多个光束和单个探测器，这是麻省理工学院团队如何发展变革思想的一个例子。更广泛的影响：该倡议致力于扩大妇女和少数民族对STEM的参与，以及改善STEM教育和教师发展。该小组参与了许多提高公众科学素养的项目，并进行了许多公开演讲，传达了中微子物理学的兴奋之处。

Recent studies involving electron-flavor neutrinos have raised many interesting questions. For example, is there electron-neutrino appearance at short baseline? What is the magnitude of the missing mixing matrix parameter, associated with the electron-flavor? And is there CP violation in the light neutrino sector, which is explored through electron-neutrino appearance? These questions are identified as top priority in advancing knowledge within the neutrino physics field.This award provides support for students and postdocs on a series of neutrino experiments chosen to be phased in time: MiniBooNE, SciBooNE, Double Chooz, MicroBooNE and DAEDALUS. These experiments are selected to have intellectual coherence and to allow the students and postdocs in the group to experience all stages of experimental work within their careers at MIT. MIT has a central role in the MiniBooNE oscillation analysis and in developing associated phenomenological models involving sterile neutrinos. The MiniBooNE results have excited interest in next generation short-baseline experiments, including the MicroBooNE experiment that will address the MiniBooNE event excesses with state-of-the-art liquid argon technology. MIT is responsible for delivering the light collection system on MicroBooNE and for R&D on the first lightguide-based detection system for future large LAr detectors. The group plays a leading role in the US-based analysis of the last neutrino mixing angle from the Double Chooz data. MIT has specialized in monitoring on Double Chooz and this award provides support for a novel directional neutron monitor, DCTPC, which will be constructed in this grant period. DAEDALUS, with its multiple beams and single detector, is an example of how the MIT group develops transformative ideas. Broader Impacts: The PI is dedicated to expanding participation of women and minorities in STEM, as well as improving STEM education and teacher development. The group is involved in numerous projects to increase public scientific literacy and gives many public talks, communicating the excitement of neutrino physics.