Prototyping of and sensitivity studies for a gaseous argon near detector for the deep underground neutrino experiment
File(s)
Author(s)
Khan, Naseem
Type
Thesis
Abstract
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next-generation Long-Baseline (LBL) neutrino oscillation experiment, aiming to make precise measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters. These include the neutrino mass hierarchy and the extent of violation of charge-conjugation and parity reversal (CP) symmetry. To do so, DUNE will produce an intense neutrino beam at Fermilab, where the neutrino interactions will be measured with a Near Detector (ND) complex. The beam will propagate ~1300 km to Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), where the neutrino flux will be measured with the Far Detector (FD). DUNE will be a phased experiment, meaning it will be constructed in a staged approach, undergoing upgrades 6 years after it starts running. One upgrade involves a new ND subdetector, called ND-GAr. This will be a gaseous argon-based detector, utilising a magnetised high-pressure gaseous argon time projection chamber (HPgTPC) and electromagnetic calorimeter (ECAL).
This thesis presents work for the development of ND-GAr and is split into two distinct projects. The first presents research and development (R&D) work to test new readout electronics for ND-GAr in a prototype detector, called the Test stand of an Overpressure Argon Detector (TOAD). This involved end-to-end commissioning of the detector, from safely setting up the detector hardware to integrating the readout with the Data Acquisition (DAQ) and reconstruction software (GArSoft). This work culminated in obtaining noise measurements from the electronics for the first time in the detector. The second project was motivated by the need to set physics-driven requirements on ND-GAr design choices, such as the magnetic field strength and detector size. Given the magnetisation of ND-GAr, it will be able to detect events across the full 4π solid angle with a good acceptance. A first iteration of an analysis studying the detector acceptance is shown, achieving some derived requirements for ND-GAr.
This thesis presents work for the development of ND-GAr and is split into two distinct projects. The first presents research and development (R&D) work to test new readout electronics for ND-GAr in a prototype detector, called the Test stand of an Overpressure Argon Detector (TOAD). This involved end-to-end commissioning of the detector, from safely setting up the detector hardware to integrating the readout with the Data Acquisition (DAQ) and reconstruction software (GArSoft). This work culminated in obtaining noise measurements from the electronics for the first time in the detector. The second project was motivated by the need to set physics-driven requirements on ND-GAr design choices, such as the magnetic field strength and detector size. Given the magnetisation of ND-GAr, it will be able to detect events across the full 4π solid angle with a good acceptance. A first iteration of an analysis studying the detector acceptance is shown, achieving some derived requirements for ND-GAr.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2025-10-22
Date Awarded
2026-04-01
Copyright Statement
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC)
License URL
Advisor
Dunne, Patrick
Tapper, Alexander
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Publisher Department
Department of Physics
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)