J. Hößl

Upper limits for neutrino oscillations ν ¯ μ → ν ¯ e from muon decay at rest

The KARMEN experiment at the spallation neutron source ISIS used \numub from \mup--decay at rest in the search for neutrino oscillations \numubnueb in the appearance mode, with p(\nueb,e+)n as detection reaction of \nueb. In total, 15 candidates fulfill all conditions for the \nueb signature, in agreement with the background expectation of 15.8+-0.5 events, yielding no indication for oscillations. A single event based likelihood analysis leads to upper limits on the oscillation parameters: sin^2(2theta) 100 eV^2 and Dm^2<0.055 eV^2 for sin^2(2theta)=1 at 90% confidence. Thus, KARMEN does not confirm the LSND experiment and restricts significantly its favored parameter region for \numubnueb.

Anomaly in the time distribution of neutrinos from a pulsed beam stop source

Abstract Analysis of the charged and neutral current reactions 12 C (ν e , e − ) 12 N and 12 C (ν, ν′) 12 C ∗ induced by neutrinos from π+- and μ+-decays at rest reveals an anomaly in the time distribution after all π+ have decayed: the measured time constant for subsequent events differs substantially from the value of 2.2 μs corresponding to the μ+ lifetime. This anomaly cannot currently be explained by background processes or errors in the experimental set-up. A satisfactory description of the time spectrum is achieved by assuming it has two components, one exponential with a 2.2 μs time constant, the other a Gaussian signal of 83±28 events at 3.6 μs after beam-on-target. A speculative explanation, but one fully consistent with all the data, is that these delayed events originate from the decay of a slowly moving (β∼0.02) massive neutral particle produced in the beam stop. Further measurements to improve statistical significance are necessary.

Measurement of the weak neutral current excitation 12C(νμνμ′)12C∗(1+,1;15.1MeV) at Eνμ=29.8 MeV

Abstract The weak neutral current reaction 12 C( ν μ , ν μ ′ ) 12 C ∗ (1 + ,1; 15.1MeV) has been observed for the first time in the KARMEN experiment. Neutrino events were separated from background using two different analysis methods. The measured cross section σ NC =(3.2 ± 0.5 stat. ± 0.4 syst. ) × 10 −42 cm 2 for monoenergetic ν μ from π + -decay at rest is in good agreement with the standard model, the isovector-axialvector coupling constant of weak hadronic current deduced from this experiment is | β |=1.11±0.13.

Neutrino oscillation results from KARMEN

The neutrino experiment KARMEN is situated at the beam stop neutrino source ISIS. It provides νμs, νes and νμs in equal intensities from the π+-μ+-decay at rest (DAR). The oscillation channels νμ → νe and νμ → νe are investigated in the appearance mode with a 56t liquid scintillation calorimeter at a mean distance of 17.7m from the ν-source. Analyses of experimental data from the measuring period 1990–1995 corresponding to 9122 C protons on target or 2.52 · 1021μ+ DAR are presented. No evidence for oscillations could be found with KARMEN, resulting in 90% CL exclusion limits of sin2(2θ) < 8.5·10−3 (νμ → νe) and sin2(2θ) < 4.0·10−2 (νμ → νe) for Δm2 ≥ 100 eV2 in a simple 2 flavor description of ν-oscillations.

Towards Acoustic Detection of UHE Neutrinos in the Mediterranean Sea - The AMADEUS Project in ANTARES1

The acoustic detection method is a promising option for future neutrino telescopes operating in the ultra-high energy regime. It utilises the effect that a cascade evolving from a neutrino interaction generates a sound wave, and is applicable in different target materials like water, ice and salt. Described here are the developments in and the plans for the research on acoustic particle detection in water performed by the ANTARES group at the University of Erlangen within the framework of the ANTARES experiment in the Mediterranean Sea. A set of acoustic sensors will be integrated into this optical neutrino telescope to test acoustic particle detection methods and perform background studies.

KARMEN at ISIS: The advantage of a pulsed neutrino source in the search for neutrino oscillations and neutrino nuclear interactions

Abstract KARMEN, the Karlsruhe-Rutherford Medium Energy Neutrinoexperiment at the pulsed spallation neutron facility ISIS uses the beam stop neutrinos νμ, νe and ν μ from π+ and μ+ decay at rest to search for neutrino oscillations in the appearance channels νμ → νe and ν μ → ν e. The signature for both oscillations is based on charged current neutrino nuclear interaction spectroscopy in a high resolution 56 t liquid scintillator calorimeter. The detector system has been upgraded with an additional veto layer during 1996 to eliminate cosmogenic background and to enhance its sensitivity in the oscillation channels. This report describes the results based on data acquired from June 1990 to August 1995 and the first data of 1997 with the new veto system in operation.

Thermo-acoustic sound generation in the interaction of pulsed proton and laser beams with a water target

Abstract The generation of hydrodynamic radiation in interactions of pulsed proton and laser beams with matter is explored. The beams were directed into a water target and the resulting acoustic signals were recorded with pressure sensitive sensors. Measurements were performed with varying pulse energies, sensor positions, beam diameters and temperatures. The obtained data are matched by simulation results based on the thermo-acoustic model with uncertainties at a level of 10%. The results imply that the primary mechanism for sound generation by the energy deposition of particles propagating in water is the local heating of the medium. The heating results in a fast expansion or contraction and a pressure pulse of bipolar shape is emitted into the surrounding medium. An interesting, widely discussed application of this effect could be the detection of ultra-high energetic cosmic neutrinos in future large-scale acoustic neutrino detectors. For this application a validation of the sound generation mechanism to high accuracy, as achieved with the experiments discussed in this article, is of high importance.

Simulation chain for acoustic ultra-high energy neutrino detectors

Acoustic neutrino detection is a promising approach for lar ge-scale ultra-high energy neutrino detectors in water. In this article, a Monte Carlo simulation chain for acoustic neutrino detection devices in water is presented. It is designed within the Se aTray/IceTray software framework. Its modular architecture is highly flex ible and makes it easy to adapt to different environmental conditions, detector geometries, and hardware. The simulation chain covers the generation of the acoustic pulse produced by a neutrino interaction and the propagation to the sensors within the detecto r. In this phase of the development, ambient and transient noise models for the Mediterranean Sea and simulations of the data acquisition hardware, similar to the one used in ANTARES/AMADEUS, are implemented. A pre-selection scheme for neutrino-like signals based on matched filtering is employed, as it can be used f or on-line filtering. To simulate the whole processing chain for experi mental data, signal classification and acoustic source reco nstruction algorithms are integrated. In this contribution, an overvi ew of the design and capabilities of the simulation chain will be given, and some applications and preliminary studies will be presente d.

Position reconstruction of acoustic sources with the AMADEUS detector

This article focuses on techniques for position reconstruction of acoustic point sources with the AMADEUS setup consisting of 36 acoustic sensors in the Mediterranean Sea. The direction reconstruction of an acoustic point source utilizes the information of the six small-volume hydrophone clusters of AMADEUS individually. Source position reconstruction is then done by combining the directional information of each cluster. The algorithms for direction and position reconstruction are explained and demonstrated using data taken in the deep sea.

Development of combined Opto-Acoustical sensor Modules

Abstract The faint fluxes of cosmic neutrinos expected at very high energies require large instrumented detector volumes. The necessary volumes in combination with a sufficient shielding against background constitute forbidding and complex environments (e.g. the deep sea) as sites for neutrino telescopes. To withstand these environments and to assure the data quality, the sensors have to be reliable and their operation has to be as simple as possible. A compact sensor module design including all necessary components for data acquisition and module calibration would simplify the detector mechanics and ensures the long term operability of the detector. The compact design discussed here combines optical and acoustical sensors inside one module, therefore reducing electronics and additional external instruments for calibration purposes. In this design the acoustical sensor is primary used for acoustic positioning of the module. The module may also be used for acoustic particle detection and marine science if an appropriate acoustical sensor is chosen. First tests of this design are promising concerning the task of calibration. To expand the field of application also towards acoustic particle detection further improvements concerning electromagnetic shielding and adaptation of the single components are necessary.