Regular Series


Vol. 37 (2006), No. 7, pp. 1901 – 2215


The 2006 Epiphany Conference on Neutrinos and Dark Matter as Compared to the 2000 Epiphany Conference on Neutrinos in Physics and Astrophysics

abstract

In 2006, for the second time in the twelve-year history of the Cracow Epiphany conferences, the conference was dedicated to neutrinos. This reflects the very fast development of neutrino physics in recent years. Here the comparison has been made between the 2006 Epiphany Conference on Neutrionos and Dark Matter and the 2000 Epiphany Conference on Neutrinos in Physics and Astrophysics.


Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Experiments

abstract

The study of neutrinoless double beta decay is of outmost importance for neutrino physics. It is considered to be the gold plated channel to probe the fundamental character of neutrinos and to determine the neutrino mass. From the experimental point about nine different isotopes are explored for the search. After a general introduction follows a short discussion on nuclear matrix element calculations and supportive measurements. The current experimental status of double beta searches is presented followed by a short discussion of the ideas and proposals for large scale experiments.


The \(^{76}\)Ge Double-Beta Decay Experiment GERDA at LNGS

abstract

In the second generation \(^{76}\)Ge double-beta decay experiment GERDA bare detectors made out of enriched \(^{76}\)Ge will be operated in an cryogenic fluid shield. The goal of the approved GERDA project is to reduce the background around \(Q = 2039\) keV below \(10^{-3}\) counts/(kg keV y) and reach a sensitivity for neutrinoless \(\beta \beta \) decay of \(T_{1/2}\gt 2\times 10^{26}\) years after an exposure of 100 kg years.


Neutrinoless Double \(\beta \)-Decay Nuclear Matrix Elements within QRPA and Its Variants

abstract

The nuclear matrix elements associated with the light Majorana neutrino mass mechanism of the neutrinoless double beta decay of \(^{48}{\rm Ca}\), \(^{76}{\rm Ge}\), \(^{82}{\rm Se}\), \(^{96}{\rm Zr}\), \(^{100}{\rm Mo}\), \(^{116}{\rm Cd}\), \(^{128}{\rm Te}\), \(^{130}{\rm Te}\), \(^{136}{\rm Xe}\), and \(^{150}{\rm Nd}\) have been calculated within the self-consistent renormalized quasiparticle random phase approximation (SRQRPA). By following a recently proposed procedure, where data on the two-neutrino double \(\beta \)-decay half-lives are used to derive appropriate value of particle-particle strength of nuclear Hamiltonian, we have found that the SQRPA results are comparable with those of the QRPA and the RQRPA approaches. This constitutes an additional argument in favor of the convergence of the QRPA-like results.


Neutrino Oscillation in the K2K Experiment

abstract

This paper summarizes final results of the K2K experiment which probes neutrino oscillation on accelerator produced neutrino beam sent over 250 km baseline toward the Super-Kamiokande detector. K2K collected \(9.2 \times 10^{19}\) protons on target during its operation from 1999 to 2004. A total number of 112 beam induced neutrino events have been detected while \(155.9^{+11.5}_{-10.2}\) events were expected for no oscillation scenario. Incorporating into analysis a distortion of neutrino energy spectra an allowed region of \(1.9\times 10^{-3} \lt \Delta m^2 \lt 3.5 \times 10^{-3}~{\rm eV}^2\) was obtained for \(\sin ^22\theta = 1.0\) in agreement with atmospheric neutrino results. A limit for transformation of muon neutrino into electron neutrino has been achieved at \(\sin ^22\theta _{13} \lt 0.26\) from one detected shower like data event.


Status of the OPERA Experiment

abstract

In this article the physics motivation and the detector design of the OPERA experiment will be reviewed. The construction status of the detector, which will be situated in the CNGS beam from CERN to the Gran Sasso laboratory, will be reported. A survey on the physics performance will be given and the physics plan in 2006 will be presented.


Modelling CC Neutrino Cross Sections in the Few GeV Energy Region

abstract

Selected problems in modelling neutrino–nucleon and neutrino–nuclei cross sections in the neutrino energy region of the few GeV are reviewed.


Planck Scale Remnants in Resummed Quantum Gravity

abstract

We show that, in a new approach to quantum gravity in which its UV behavior is tamed by resummation of large IR effects, the final state of the Hawking radiation for an originally very massive black hole is a Planck scale remnant which is completely accessible to our Universe. This remnant would be expected to decay into \(n\)-body final states, leading to Planck scale cosmic rays.


EGRET Excess of Diffuse Galactic Gamma Rays as a Trace of the Dark Matter Halo

abstract

The diffuse Galactic gamma ray data, which were measured by the EGRET experiment, show a clear excess for energies above 1 GeV in comparison with the expectations from conventional Galactic models. The excess is seen with a similar energy spectrum in all sky directions, as expected for Dark Matter (DM) annihilation. The spectral shape of the excess is used to limit the WIMP mass to the 50–100 GeV range, while its directional dependence is used to determine a halo profile, which is consistent with a triaxial isothermal halo with additional substructure of Dark Matter in the disc. The latter is strongly correlated with the ring of stars around our galaxy at a distance of 14 kpc, thought to originate from the tidal disruption of a dwarf galaxy. It is shown that this ring of DM causes the mysterious change of slope in the rotation curve at \(R=1.1\,R_0\).


The AMANDA–IceCube Neutrino Telescopes and Indirect Dark Matter Search

abstract

The high energy neutrino telescope IceCube is currently under construction in the deep ice of the South Pole glacier. With its 1km\(^3\) instrumented volume, it is designed to ensure the detection of extraterrestrial neutrino in the TeV–PeV energy range. Its Predecessor AMANDA, taking data since 1997, has provided along with many useful technical informations increasingly precise limits on a variety of potential astrophysical neutrino sources. After a brief description of these detectors we will focus on the indirect search of Dark Matter performed with the AMANDA telescope.


Indirect Search for Dark Matter with AMS Experiment

abstract

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) is a large acceptance detector of cosmic rays which will be installed on International Space Station for a period of three years. It will provide precise measurements of spectrum and composition of cosmic rays in rigidity range from 1 GV to a few TV. These complex and precise data are expected to allow drawing interesting astrophysical conclusions. Particularly measurements of antiproton, positron, antideuteron and gamma fluxes will allow for search for Dark Matter component of the Universe.


all authors

A.M. Szelc, P. Benetti, E. Calligarich, F. Calaprice, M. Cambiaghi, F. Carbonara, F. Cavanna, A.G. Cocco, F. DiPompeo, N. Ferrari, G. Fiorillo, C. Galbiati, L. Grandi, G. Mangano, C. Montanari, O. Palamara, L. Pandola, A. Rappoldi, G.L. Raselli, M. Roncadelli, M. Rossella, C. Rubbia, R. Santorelli, C. Vignoli, Y. Zhao

The Current Status of the WARP Experiment

abstract

The WARP detector is a new idea in Dark Matter detection using liquid noble gases, specifically argon. We believe that argon is the medium best suited to detect nuclear recoils coming from interactions with the so called WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles). The detection technique, using two different discrimination methods, is capable of an identification power as high as one event in 10\(^8\). During the second half of the year 2006 the next, 100 liter, detector will be constructed with an active veto shield to further suppress the background, while currently a 2.3 liter prototype, installed in the Gran Sasso Laboratory (Italy), has been taking data since May 2004. The small version of the detector is able to not only provide insight on the operation of a two-phase liquid argon chamber but is also able to provide physics results competitive with the current leading edge experiments.


Future Long-Baseline Program

abstract

We review missing pieces of information about neutrinos and discuss methods of their measurements using oscillation experiments. We focus on the experiments using accelerator neutrinos and large detectors hundreds of kilometers away. Several projects based on powerful conventional beams of neutrinos are prepared for the next decade. We describe two most promising of them, which are T2K in Japan and NO\(\nu \)A in North America.


The Double Chooz Experiment

abstract

The measurement of the last undetermined neutrino mixing angle \(\theta _{13}\) is the main goal of the next generation of neutrino oscillation experiments. The present limit is dominated by the result of the Chooz experiment, which gives \(\sin ^{2}2\,\theta _{13}\lesssim 0.10\)–0.15 (depending on the true value of \(\Delta m_{13}^{2}\)), at \(90\,\%\) confidence level. Double Chooz is a next generation reactor experiment aiming at exploring \(\sim 80\,\%\) of the currently allowed parameter region, with a new detector at the Chooz site. The aimed sensitivity requires both the statistical and systematical errors to be significantly reduced with respect to past reactor experiments. In particular, the success of the project depends on the reduction of the systematics, made possible by the installation of a near identical detector and by the improvement of the detector design. The experimental concept and the status of Double Chooz are reviewed. Some of the accomplishments of the project R&D will be shortly discussed.


Status of the KATRIN Experiment

abstract

The convincing evidences for neutrino flavor oscillation are a clear proof of non-vanishing neutrino masses. However, the absolute values of the neutrino masses cannot be determined by oscillation experiments alone. There are different approaches to set the neutrino mass scale, but the only model-independent one is the investigation of the electron energy spectrum of a \(\beta \) decay near its endpoint. The tritium \(\beta \) decay experiments at Mainz and Troitsk have recently been finished yielding upper limits of \(m(\nu _e) \lt 2.3 {\rm eV}/c^2\) (95% C.L.). The new Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment (KATRIN) aims to improve the sensitivity on the neutrino mass by another order of magnitude down to \(0.2 {\rm eV}/c^2\). The status of KATRIN and the ways to handle the extreme challenges are briefly outlined in this paper.


GLoBES and Its Application to Neutrino Physics

abstract

The General Long Baseline Experiment Simulator (GLoBES) is a software package that allows to simulate future neutrino oscillation long baseline experiments and analyze their potential to measure neutrino oscillation parameters. Within GLoBES experiments are described in the Abstract Experiment Definition Language (AEDL) that allows to simulate a variety of different detector technologies and point-like neutrino sources. Thus, besides beam based experiments also neutrino reactor experiments can be simulated. Additionally, very different kinds of systematical uncertainties, e.g. normalization and energy calibration errors can be described and the matter profile along the baseline can be treated accurately including uncertainties. GLoBES provides oscillation probability and event rate calculation as well as simple \(\Delta \chi ^2\) calculation. More sophisticated GLoBES functions allow to treat the full multi-parameter correlations and degeneracies by the projection of the \(\Delta \chi ^2\) to planes or axes in the parameter space. Up to 32 experiments can be simulated at once so that synergies between different experiments can be examined.


The Neutrino Factory; Physics and Accelerator Concepts

abstract

After a brief introduction to the Standard Neutrino Model (SNM), the motivation for a programme of high-precision neutrino oscillation measurements is reviewed. The Neutrino Factory, an intense high-energy neutrino source based on a stored muon beam, is widely believed to yield a precision and sensitivity superior to other proposed second-generation facilities. The alternatives are identified and the strengths of the various options is briefly discussed. Highlights of the exciting international R&D programmes which are designed to demonstrate the feasibility of the required techniques are then reviewed. This R&D programme, which covers all aspects of the accelerator complex, positions the Neutrino Factory community to seek to produce a full conceptual design of the facility by around 2012.


Future Neutrino Oscillation Facilities: Physics Priorities and Open Issues

abstract

The recent discovery that neutrinos have masses opens a wide new field of experimentation, for which one has to be ambitious, ingenious … and patient. Accelerator-made neutrinos are essential in this program. Ideas for future facilities include high intensity muon neutrino beams from pion decay (‘Superbeam’), electron neutrino beams from nuclei decays (‘Beta-beam’), or muon and electron neutrino beams from muon decay (‘Neutrino Factory’), each associated with one or several options for detector systems. There are different opinions in the community on how to proceed through this rich choice of questions and possibilities. We now begin a “scoping study” aimed at determining a set of key R&D projects enabling the community to propose an ambitious accelerator neutrino program at the turn of this decade. As an introduction to this study, a set of physics priorities, a summary of the perceived virtues and shortcomings of the various options, and a number of open questions are presented.


Large Scale Underground Detectors in Europe

abstract

The physics potential and the complementarity of the large scale underground European detectors: Water Čerenkov (MEMPHYS), Liquid Argon TPC (GLACIER) and Liquid Scintillator (LENA) is presented with emphasis on the major physics opportunities, namely proton decay, supernova detection and neutrino parameter determination using accelerator beams.


Towards a Strategy for Future Projects in High-Energy Physics (European Perspective)

abstract

This write-up is a very brief ‘telegram style’ summary of a much more extensive talk delivered at the Conference. The subject of the talk is of current topical interest, in particular because the CERN Council has installed a Strategy Group with the mandate to formulate a strategy for European high energy physics. The recommendations of the Strategy Group will be discussed during a special session of CERN Council in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 14 2006.


Present and Future of Astroparticle Physics in Europe

abstract

This talk reviews the status of european astroparticle experiments and sketches elements of a roadmap over the next decade. It is mostly based on work towards an ApPEC strategy paper which is presently underway and planned to be finished in Summer 2006.


A Theorist’s Perspective

abstract

The present turning point in particle physics is briefly discussed.


Could CP Breaking Majorana Phases Be Measured Via Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay?

abstract

Studies of neutrinoless double beta decay can lead us to discovery of the CP symmetry breaking in lepton sector with Majorana neutrinos. In the article the necessary conditions for finding this phenomenon are obtained and discussed.


The Search of Dark Matter with ArDM Detector

abstract

The ArDM project aims at developing and operating a 1 ton-scale liquid argon detector for direct detection of Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) as Dark Matter in the Universe. In the first part of this paper the main features of the detector are presented. The second part includes a discussion on expected experimental background.


Application of Neural Networks to Simulated Data for Liquid Argon TPC’s

abstract

The paper presents the capability of a Liquid Argon TPC to distinguish between electrons and \(\pi ^{0}\)’s and also between proton, kaon and pion. Neutral pions are very dangerous background in the study of neutrino oscillations while hadronic identification is important to look for proton decay. The analysis was based on the data from Monte Carlo simulation and was achieved by means of Neural Networks. Two methods of analysis focus on the particle energy loss by ionization. One concerns electrons inside electromagnetic cascades, the other one decaying hadrons.


Mass-Flavour Transitions of Supernova Neutrino States in the Terrestrial Matter

abstract

Neutrinos coming from the distant astrophysical objects reach the Earth in incoherent mass states. Simple approximations for transitions between mass and flavour states in the Earth are given.


Neutrino Masses from \(R\)-Parity Non-Conserving Loops

abstract

We present new formulae for the neutrino masses generated by \(R\)-parity violating interactions within minimal supersymmetric standard model. The importance of inclusion of CP phases in the neutrino mass matrix is discussed in detail.


Spin Amplitude Formalisms for Massive Particles in the Drell–Yan Process

abstract

In this contribution calculations of leading and next-to-leading order (hard photon radiation) matrix element for Drell–Yan process (\(qq\!\rightarrow \! Z\! \rightarrow \! ll\)) are presented. Two different spin amplitude formalisms are used in the calculations. Results are compared numerically and cross-checked against the published calculations based on the Dirac-trace methods.


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