Project descriptions of example neutrino projects
The neutrino group covers a wide range of activities:
Contact: Dr. John Marshall (john.marshall@warwick.ac.uk)
DUNE and SBND PhD projects in Warwick would usually have an emphasis on the development of pattern-recognition algorithms (including modern machine-learning approaches) to exploit the use of LArTPC imaging detectors. These detectors provide “photograph-quality” images of the charged particles that emerge from neutrino interactions. The human eye/brain can often do a great job of interpreting what’s shown in the complex images, but developing algorithms to interpret the images is still a significant research challenge. Warwick is the home of the PandoraLink opens in a new window pattern-recognition software, so joining the Warwick group is an exciting opportunity to contribute to pattern-recognition and machine-learning development, and to optimise physics analyses using our software.
A PhD project would ultimately target on an area of specific physics interest. This might be a high-precision neutrino cross section measurement at SBND, or recent examples at DUNE include the flagship neutrino oscillation and CP-violation studies, examination of supernova neutrinos and nucleon decay. The reconstruction of events recorded by the LArTPC detectors would be optimised to meet the needs of the analysis, by identifying current image-analysis limitations and designing new algorithms to improve the pattern recognition. Work would then proceed to perform the analysis itself, including selection of signal events, rejection of backgrounds, parameter fitting and consideration of systematic uncertainties, all in conjunction with the international experiments' physics analysis working groups.
Contact: Dr. Xianguo Lu (xianguo.lu@warwick.ac.uk)
We are building a high-pressure Time Projection Chamber in the department (WarTPCLink opens in a new window). Potential PhD thesis topics include measuring the properties of novel gas mixtures, further developing the readout system, and constructing a laser calibration system.
JUNO is a next-generation neutrino experiment under construction in China, beginning data collection in 2025--the group websiteLink opens in a new window is slightly out of date because we are busy (proudly) preparing for data taking! Using 20 kilotons of liquid scintillators, its primary goal is to detect neutrinos from nuclear power plants and determine the neutrino mass ordering. As an observatory that will operate for the next few decades, it will also study interesting phenomena involving neutrinos from various natural sources. The Warwick group is leading the effort in studying neutrino interactions in JUNO. A project in JUNO will involve analysing the first data and understanding and improving the performance of this brand-new detector. Potential PhD thesis topics include the measurement of neutrino mass ordering using atmospheric neutrinos and the search for proton decay.
Contact: Dr. Steve Boyd (s.b.boyd@warwick.ac.uk)
HyperK is in the development phase and our activities can be read about here. A project on Hyper-K would involve R&D work on the two calibration systems we are constructing for Hyper-K, work on the data acquisition system and analysis work on validating the calibration system requirements using the Hyper-K neutrino flavour oscillation analysis.
T2K has been taking data since 2010. Our research interests revolve around making measurements of neutrino scattering cross section for different scattering modes which have not been measured before. We have studied: coherent scattering of neutrinos from nuclei, the first measurements of single pion production from electron neutrino interactions, and are working on measurements of neutral current interaction cross sections. Potential PhD thesis topics include the first TKI measurements with the upgraded Near Detector.
Projects are available in all of these areas. A comprehensive list of possible contact people follows:
Dr. John Marshall (john.marshall@warwick.ac.uk)
Dr. Xianguo Lu (xianguo.lu@warwick.ac.uk)
Prof. Gary Barker (g.j.barker@warwick.ac.uk) for enquiries about DUNE
Dr. Xianguo Lu (xianguo.lu@warwick.ac.uk) for enquiries about JUNO
Dr. Steve Boyd (s.b.boyd@warwick.ac.uk) for enquiries about Hyper-K
Dr. Steve Boyd (s.b.boyd@warwick.ac.uk)
Dr. Xianguo Lu (xianguo.lu@warwick.ac.uk)
Prof. Gary Barker (g.j.barker@warwick.ac.uk) for enquiries about T2K