CAREER: Neutrino Interactions in Matter

目前粒子物理学研究的关键领域包括中微子振荡参数的精确测量、中微子质量层次和中微子扇区CP违逆的测量。要解决这些问题，需要在实验和理论上对核物质中的中微子相互作用有更详细的了解。由于强调长基线实验，其中物质效应很重要，并且液态氩时间投影室作为许多实验的选择探测器，其中氩的相关原子序数为A=40，因此这种理解不仅是必要的，而且是基本的。弗吉尼亚理工学院和州立大学的研究工作直接针对这些问题，并基于实验、理论和模拟的互补方法。目标包括：(1)将事件生成器预测与实验数据进行比较，重点是与弗吉尼亚理工大学小组及其合作者将使用MicroBooNE探测器在液态氩气中进行的测量结果进行比较；(2)确定核模型、相关性和中微子相互作用不确定性对轻子扇区CP违和的发现和中微子振荡参数的实验测定的影响；(3)在中微子相互作用模拟中加入最先进的核模型；(4)确定这些模型所需的细节水平，以达到观测CP违反所需的灵敏度。拟议的研究是潜在的变革，通过改变和完善GENIE中微子事件发生器的范围，以更精确地预测事件，并将其与GLoBES模拟器接口，以了解中微子相互作用对确定中微子振荡参数的影响，为过去和未来的中微子实验在世界范围内。在研究的同时，该计划还包括针对高中和更高水平的重要教育组成部分。该小组将在弗吉尼亚理工大学已经活跃的物理技术项目的基础上，建立一个夸克网络中心，以吸引高中教师和学生，最初的重点是中微子物理。该组织还积极鼓励来自代表性不足群体的学生通过弗吉尼亚-北卡罗来纳州少数民族参与联盟（VT-AMP）项目参与研究。

Among the key areas of study currently in particle physics are precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters, the neutrino mass hierarchy and measurement of CP violation in the neutrino sector. To address these requires a more detailed understanding, both experimentally and theoretically, of neutrino interactions in nuclear matter. With the emphasis long baseline experiments, in which matter effects are important, and on Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers as the detectors of choice for many experiments, where the relevant atomic number is A=40 for Argon, such understanding is not only necessary, but fundamental. The research effort at Virginia Polytechnic and State University is aimed directly at these questions and is based on a complementary approach using experiment, theory and simulation. The objectives include: (1) to compare event generator predictions with experimental data, focusing on comparisons with measurements that the Virginia Tech group and collaborators will perform in Liquid Argon using the MicroBooNE detector; (2) to determine the impact of nuclear models, correlations and neutrino interaction uncertainties on the discovery of CP violation in the lepton sector and the experimental determination of the neutrino oscillation parameters; (3) to include state-of-the-art nuclear models in the neutrino interaction simulation and (4) to determine the level of detail needed in these models to achieve the required sensitivity to observe CP violation. The proposed research is potentially transformative, by altering and refining the scope of the GENIE neutrino event generator to predict events more precisely and interface it with the GLoBES simulator to understand the effect of neutrino interactions on the determination of neutrino oscillation parameters for past and future neutrino experiments worldwide.In parallel with the research, the program includes important educational components, directed at high school and more advanced levels. The group will build upon an already active PhysTec program at Virginia Tech and will create a QuarkNet center to attract high school teachers and students, with initial emphasis on neutrino physics. The group also actively encourages the participation in the research of students from underrepresented groups through the Virginia-North Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation (VT-AMP) program.