Coherent Captain-Mills: The Search for Sterile Neutrinos and Light Dark Matter
Faculty Mentor Name
Darrel Smith
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
The Coherent CAPTAIN-Mills (CCM) experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANCE) is a state-of-the-art experiment that searches for sterile neutrinos. By measuring the gamma-ray background near the detector, the experiment will provide a better understanding of the interactions taking place, which can provide evidence of sterile neutrinos and light dark matter (LDM). The CCM experiment involves a proton beam hitting a tungsten target, releasing pions that decay into neutrinos and possible LDM particles that travel toward the 10-ton liquid argon detector. We measure the peak energies of the gamma-rays and determine what elements surrounding the CCM detector might contribute to the signals observed in the detector. A positive detection of sterile neutrinos could provide evidence for new physics beyond the basic building blocks of how matter interacts and help solve the mystery of dark matter, making our experiment a critical step towards uncovering the secrets of the universe.
Coherent Captain-Mills: The Search for Sterile Neutrinos and Light Dark Matter
The Coherent CAPTAIN-Mills (CCM) experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANCE) is a state-of-the-art experiment that searches for sterile neutrinos. By measuring the gamma-ray background near the detector, the experiment will provide a better understanding of the interactions taking place, which can provide evidence of sterile neutrinos and light dark matter (LDM). The CCM experiment involves a proton beam hitting a tungsten target, releasing pions that decay into neutrinos and possible LDM particles that travel toward the 10-ton liquid argon detector. We measure the peak energies of the gamma-rays and determine what elements surrounding the CCM detector might contribute to the signals observed in the detector. A positive detection of sterile neutrinos could provide evidence for new physics beyond the basic building blocks of how matter interacts and help solve the mystery of dark matter, making our experiment a critical step towards uncovering the secrets of the universe.