Neutrino interactions in the ND280 upgrade era and beyond: theoretical modelling and experimental observations at T2K
File(s)
Author(s)
McKean, Jake
Type
Thesis
Abstract
The Tokai-to-Kamioka (T2K) experiment is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment designed to make measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters. A muon (anti)neutrino beam is produced at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) in Tokaimura, Ibaraki. The beam is first measured by near detectors ND280 and INGRID at J-PARC, 280 m downstream of the target, then travels 295 km to Kamioka-machi, Gifu, where the far detector Super Kamiokande (SK) samples it again.
To reduce systematic and statistical uncertainties in T2K analyses, the ND280 detector at J-PARC has been upgraded. Its central component, the Super Fine-Grained Detector (SFGD), is built from segmented scintillator cubes. This thesis presents the construction, commissioning, calibration and characterisation of the SFGD, along with real-time monitoring and visualisation software.
Nuclear modelling is one of the largest sources of systematic uncertainty in T2K analyses. T2K uses the NEUT neutrino interaction event generator, which models nuclear
effects through different approximations. The dominant interaction channel in T2K is the charged-current quasi-elastic (CCQE) channel.
This thesis introduces the implementation of a CCQE neutrino- and electron–nucleus scattering model beyond the plane wave impulse approximation, which is currently used in NEUT, using relativistic mean field (RMF) theory, implemented in an event generator for the first time. The model implementation, validation and benchmarking against current NEUT CCQE models and various neutrino scattering cross section datasets are shown. This work resulted in a publication to Physical Review D.
Finally, the potential for investigating nuclear effects with the SFGD is introduced. NEUT samples using the RMF-based model are simulated within the SFGD and the results are shown. This highlights the key differences between different CCQE models that can be differentiated with the SFGD.
To reduce systematic and statistical uncertainties in T2K analyses, the ND280 detector at J-PARC has been upgraded. Its central component, the Super Fine-Grained Detector (SFGD), is built from segmented scintillator cubes. This thesis presents the construction, commissioning, calibration and characterisation of the SFGD, along with real-time monitoring and visualisation software.
Nuclear modelling is one of the largest sources of systematic uncertainty in T2K analyses. T2K uses the NEUT neutrino interaction event generator, which models nuclear
effects through different approximations. The dominant interaction channel in T2K is the charged-current quasi-elastic (CCQE) channel.
This thesis introduces the implementation of a CCQE neutrino- and electron–nucleus scattering model beyond the plane wave impulse approximation, which is currently used in NEUT, using relativistic mean field (RMF) theory, implemented in an event generator for the first time. The model implementation, validation and benchmarking against current NEUT CCQE models and various neutrino scattering cross section datasets are shown. This work resulted in a publication to Physical Review D.
Finally, the potential for investigating nuclear effects with the SFGD is introduced. NEUT samples using the RMF-based model are simulated within the SFGD and the results are shown. This highlights the key differences between different CCQE models that can be differentiated with the SFGD.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2025-09-04
Date Awarded
01/12/2025
License URL
Advisor
Uchida, Yoshi
Kabirnezhad, Monireh
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (Great Britain)
Grant Number
2604263
Publisher Department
Department of Physics
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)