Detection of Supernova Neutrinos by Neutrino-Proton Elastic Scattering

We propose that neutrino-proton elastic scattering, $\nu + p \to \nu + p$, can be used for the detection of supernova neutrinos in scintillator detectors. Though the proton recoil kinetic energy spectrum is soft, with $T_p \simeq 2 E_\nu^2/M_p$, and the scintillation light output from slow, heavily ionizing protons is quenched, the yield above a realistic threshold is nearly as large as that from $\bar{\nu}_e + p \to e^+ + n$. In addition, the measured proton spectrum is related to the incident neutrino spectrum, which solves a long-standing problem of how to separately measure the total energy and temperature of $\nu_\mu$, $\nu_\tau$, $\bar{\nu}_\mu$, and $\bar{\nu}_\tau$. The ability to detect this signal would give detectors like KamLAND and Borexino a crucial and unique role in the quest to detect supernova neutrinos.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, revtex

On the Normalization of the Neutrino-Deuteron Cross Section

As is well-known, comparison of the solar neutrino fluxes measured in SuperKamiokande (SK) by $\nu + e^- \to \nu + e^-$ and in the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) by $\nu_e + d \to e^- + p + p$ can provide a ``smoking gun'' signature for neutrino oscillations as the solution to the solar neutrino puzzle. This occurs because SK has some sensitivity to all active neutrino flavors whereas SNO can isolate electron neutrinos. This comparison depends crucially on the normalization and uncertainty of the theoretical charged-current neutrino-deuteron cross section. We address a number of effects which are significant enough to change the interpretation of the SK--SNO comparison.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, submitted to PR

Exploring the sub-eV neutrino mass range with supernova neutrinos

A new method to study the effects of neutrino masses on a supernova neutrino signal is proposed. The method relies exclusively on the analysis of the full statistics of neutrino events, it is independent of astrophysical assumptions, and does not require the observation of any additional phenomenon to trace possible delays in the neutrino arrival times. The sensitivity of the method to the sub-eV neutrino mass range, defined as the capability of disentangling at 95% c.l. the case $m_\nu=1$eV from $m_\nu=0$, is tested by analyzing a set of synthetic neutrino samples modeled according to the signal that could be detected at SuperKamiokande. For a supernova at the Galactic center success is achieved in more than 50% of the cases. It is argued that a future Galactic supernova yielding several thousands of inverse $\beta$ decays might provide enough information to explore a neutrino mass range somewhat below 1 eV.Comment: Included analysis with numerical neutrino energy spectrum and oscillations effects. 7 pages, 6 figure

Avaliação da monensina no desempenho e rendimento de carcaça e partes de frangos de corte Evaluation of monensin on the performance and carcass and cuts yield of broilers

Foram realizados três experimentos para avaliar o desempenho e o rendimento de cortes e carcaça de frangos de corte, recebendo ou não monensina (MON) na dieta, em diferentes doses (D) (100, 110 e 120 ppm), de acordo com as fases de crescimento (FC) (1 a 21, 22 a 40 e 41 a 45/46 dias de idade). O experimento 1 foi realizado em gaiolas metabólicas, no qual foram determinadas energia metabolizável aparente (EMA), digestibilidade da matéria seca - MS (DMS) e retenção de nitrogênio (RN). Os experimentos 2 e 3 foram realizados em boxes. No experimento 3, a conversão alimentar (CA) foi melhor nos tratamentos com MON, principalmente na FC de 22 a 40 dias. As doses de 100 e 110 ppm de MON mostraram melhor resposta que 120 ppm, sobretudo quando não houve retirada na droga nos cinco últimos dias da FC. No experimento 3, as aves que não receberam MON tiveram maior consumo de ração (CR). Não foram observadas diferenças na DMS, EMA e RN das rações experimentais. Nos experimentos 1 e 2, a manutenção da droga na última semana influenciou positivamente o rendimento de carcaça e a dose de 110 ppm mostrou maior rendimento de peito que as demais. A gordura abdominal não foi influenciada pelas doses de MON nas dietas. O uso de MON influenciou positivamente a CA de frangos de corte. Apesar do reduzido CR, o ganho de peso das aves que receberam MON na dieta não foi alterado.<br>Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance and carcass yield of broilers, receiving or not monensin (MON), at different levels (100,110 and 120 ppm) according to the growth phase (GP) (1 to 21; 22 at 40 and 41 to 45/46 days of age). The Experiment 1 was performed at metabolic cages and the AME, dry matter digestibility (DDM.) and nitrogen retention (NR) were determined. The Experiments 2 and 3 were performed at floor pens. In the Experiment 3, feed:gain ratio (F/G) was improved with MON, mainly from 22 to 40 days. The 100 and 110-ppm levels better responded than 120 ppm, mainly without drug withdrawal in the last GP. In the Experiment 3, birds without MON had higher feed intake (FI). No differences were observed in DMD, ME or NR. In the Experiments 1 and 2, the maintenance of the drug up to the last week positively influenced the carcass yield and 110-ppm dose showed higher breast yield than other levels. Abdominal fat was not affected by the MON levels in the diets. The use of MON positively affected the broiler F/G. The birds weight gain was not affected, even with reduced CR

The NOvA Technical Design Report

This Technical Design Report (TDR) describes the preliminary design of the NOνA accelerator upgrades, NOνA detectors, detector halls and detector sites. Compared to the March 2006 and November 2006 NOνA Conceptual Design Reports (CDR), critical value engineering studies have been completed and the alternatives still active in the CDR have been narrowed to achieve a preliminary technical design ready for a Critical Decision 2 review. Many aspects of NOνA described this TDR are complete to a level far beyond a preliminary design. In particular, the access road to the NOvA Far Detector site in Minnesota has an advanced technical design at a level appropriate for a Critical Decision 3a review. Several components of the accelerator upgrade and new neutrino detectors also have advanced technical designs appropriate for a Critical Decision 3a review

Low-Energy Physics in Neutrino LArTPCs

International audienceIn this white paper, we outline some of the scientific opportunities and challenges related to detection and reconstruction of low-energy (less than 100 MeV) signatures in liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC) detectors. Key takeaways are summarized as follows. 1) LArTPCs have unique sensitivity to a range of physics and astrophysics signatures via detection of event features at and below the few tens of MeV range. 2) Low-energy signatures are an integral part of GeV-scale accelerator neutrino interaction final states, and their reconstruction can enhance the oscillation physics sensitivities of LArTPC experiments. 3) BSM signals from accelerator and natural sources also generate diverse signatures in the low-energy range, and reconstruction of these signatures can increase the breadth of BSM scenarios accessible in LArTPC-based searches. 4) Neutrino interaction cross sections and other nuclear physics processes in argon relevant to sub-hundred-MeV LArTPC signatures are poorly understood. Improved theory and experimental measurements are needed. Pion decay-at-rest sources and charged particle and neutron test beams are ideal facilities for experimentally improving this understanding. 5) There are specific calibration needs in the low-energy range, as well as specific needs for control and understanding of radiological and cosmogenic backgrounds. 6) Novel ideas for future LArTPC technology that enhance low-energy capabilities should be explored. These include novel charge enhancement and readout systems, enhanced photon detection, low radioactivity argon, and xenon doping. 7) Low-energy signatures, whether steady-state or part of a supernova burst or larger GeV-scale event topology, have specific triggering, DAQ and reconstruction requirements that must be addressed outside the scope of conventional GeV-scale data collection and analysis pathways

Low-Energy Physics in Neutrino LArTPCs

International audienceIn this white paper, we outline some of the scientific opportunities and challenges related to detection and reconstruction of low-energy (less than 100 MeV) signatures in liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC) detectors. Key takeaways are summarized as follows. 1) LArTPCs have unique sensitivity to a range of physics and astrophysics signatures via detection of event features at and below the few tens of MeV range. 2) Low-energy signatures are an integral part of GeV-scale accelerator neutrino interaction final states, and their reconstruction can enhance the oscillation physics sensitivities of LArTPC experiments. 3) BSM signals from accelerator and natural sources also generate diverse signatures in the low-energy range, and reconstruction of these signatures can increase the breadth of BSM scenarios accessible in LArTPC-based searches. 4) Neutrino interaction cross sections and other nuclear physics processes in argon relevant to sub-hundred-MeV LArTPC signatures are poorly understood. Improved theory and experimental measurements are needed. Pion decay-at-rest sources and charged particle and neutron test beams are ideal facilities for experimentally improving this understanding. 5) There are specific calibration needs in the low-energy range, as well as specific needs for control and understanding of radiological and cosmogenic backgrounds. 6) Novel ideas for future LArTPC technology that enhance low-energy capabilities should be explored. These include novel charge enhancement and readout systems, enhanced photon detection, low radioactivity argon, and xenon doping. 7) Low-energy signatures, whether steady-state or part of a supernova burst or larger GeV-scale event topology, have specific triggering, DAQ and reconstruction requirements that must be addressed outside the scope of conventional GeV-scale data collection and analysis pathways