Polarization mesurements of gamma ray bursts and axion like particles

A polarized gamma ray emission spread over a sufficiently wide energy band from a strongly magnetized astrophysical object like gamma ray bursts (GRBs) offers an opportunity to test the hypothesis of axion like particles (ALPs). Based on evidences of polarized gamma ray emission detected in several gamma ray bursts we estimated the level of ALPs induced dichroism, which could take place in the magnetized fireball environment of a GRB. This allows to estimate the sensitivity of polarization measurements of GRBs to the ALP-photon coupling. This sensitivity \gag\le 2.2\cdot 10^{-11} {\rm GeV^{-1}} calculated for the ALP mass $m_a=10^{-3}~{\rm eV}$ and MeV energy spread of gamma ray emission is competitive with the sensitivity of CAST and becomes even stronger for lower ALPs masses.Comment: Contribution to Proc. 4th Patras Workshop on Axions, WIMPs and WISPs (18-21 June 2008, DESY

Exploration of Possible Quantum Gravity Effects with Neutrinos I: Decoherence in Neutrino Oscillations Experiments

Quantum gravity may involve models with stochastic fluctuations of the associated metric field, around some fixed background value. Such stochastic models of gravity may induce decoherence for matter propagating in such fluctuating space time. In most cases, this leads to fewer neutrinos of all active flavours being detected in a long baseline experiment as compared to three-flavour standard neutrino oscillations. We discuss the potential of the CNGS and J-PARC beams in constraining models of quantum-gravity induced decoherence using neutrino oscillations as a probe. We use as much as possible model-independent parameterizations, even though they are motivated by specific microscopic models, for fits to the expected experimental data which yield bounds on quantum-gravity decoherence parameters.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, proceedings for invited talk by A.Sakharov at DISCRETE'08, Valencia, Spain; December 200

Neutrino oscillation physics at an upgraded CNGS with large next generation liquid Argon TPC detectors

The determination of the missing $U_{e3}$ element (magnitude and phase) of the PMNS neutrino mixing matrix is possible via the detection of \numu\to\nue oscillations at a baseline $L$ and energy $E$ given by the atmospheric observations, corresponding to a mass squared difference $E/L \sim \Delta m^2\simeq 2.5\times 10^{-3} eV^2$. While the current optimization of the CNGS beam provides limited sensitivity to this reaction, we discuss in this document the physics potential of an intensity upgraded and energy re-optimized CNGS neutrino beam coupled to an off-axis detector. We show that improvements in sensitivity to $\theta_{13}$ compared to that of T2K and NoVA are possible with a next generation large liquid Argon TPC detector located at an off-axis position (position rather distant from LNGS, possibly at shallow depth). We also address the possibility to discover CP-violation and disentangle the mass hierarchy via matter effects. The considered intensity enhancement of the CERN SPS has strong synergies with the upgrade/replacement of the elements of its injector chain (Linac, PSB, PS) and the refurbishing of its own elements, envisioned for an optimal and/or upgraded LHC luminosity programme.Comment: 37 pages, 20 figure

A low energy optimization of the CERN-NGS neutrino beam for a theta_{13} driven neutrino oscillation search

The possibility to improve the CERN to Gran Sasso neutrino beam performances for theta_{13} searches is investigated. We show that by an appropriate optimization of the target and focusing optics of the present CNGS design, we can increase the flux of low energy neutrinos by about a factor 5 compared to the current tau optimized focalisation. With the ICARUS 2.35 kton detector at LNGS and in case of negative result, this would allow to improve the limit to sin^22 theta_{13} by an order of magnitude better than the current limit of CHOOZ at Delta m^2 approximately 3 times 10^{-3} eV^2 within 5 years of nominal CNGS running. This is by far the most sensitive setup of the currently approved long-baseline experiments and is competitive with the proposed JHF superbeam.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure

An incremental approach to unravel the neutrino mass hierarchy and CP violation with a long-baseline Superbeam for large θ13\theta_{13}

Recent data from long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments have provided new information on \theta_{13}, hinting that 0.01\lesssim sin^2 2\theta_{13} \lesssim 0.1 at 2 sigma C.L. Confirmation of this result with high significance will have a crucial impact on the optimization of the future long-baseline oscillation experiments designed to probe the neutrino mass ordering and leptonic CP violation. In this context, we expound in detail the physics reach of an experimental setup where neutrinos produced in a conventional wide-band beam facility at CERN are observed in a proposed Giant Liquid Argon detector at the Pyh\"asalmi mine, at a distance of 2290 km. This particular setup would have unprecedented sensitivity to the mass ordering and CP violation in the light of large \theta_{13}. With a 10 to 20 kt `pilot' detector and just a few years of neutrino beam running, the mass hierarchy could be determined, irrespective of the true values of \delta_{CP} and the mass hierarchy, at 3 sigma (5 sigma) C.L. if sin^2 2\theta_{13}(true) = 0.05 (0.1). With the same exposure, we start to have 3 sigma sensitivity to CP violation if sin^2 2\theta_{13}(true) > 0.05, in particular testing maximally CP-violating scenarios at a high C.L. After optimizing the neutrino and anti-neutrino running fractions, we study the performance of the setup as a function of the exposure, identifying three milestones to have roughly 30%, 50% and 70% coverage in \delta_{CP}(true) for 3 sigma CP violation discovery. For comparison, we also study the CERN to Slanic baseline of 1540 km. This work demonstrates that an incremental program, staged in terms of the exposure, can achieve the desired physics goals within a realistically feasible timescale, and produce significant new results at each stage.Comment: 30 pages, 32 pdf figures, 6 table

US Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter 2017: Community Report

This white paper summarizes the workshop "U.S. Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter" held at University of Maryland on March 23-25, 2017.Comment: 102 pages + reference

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

Dark sectors 2016 Workshop: community report

This report, based on the Dark Sectors workshop at SLAC in April 2016, summarizes the scientific importance of searches for dark sector dark matter and forces at masses beneath the weak-scale, the status of this broad international field, the important milestones motivating future exploration, and promising experimental opportunities to reach these milestones over the next 5-10 years