[Paper Review] Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume II: DUNE Physics

B. Abi, R. Acciarri+964 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 7, 2020

Neutrino Physics Research78 citations

TL;DR

A comprehensive architecture and sensitivity assessment for DUNE's far detector physics program, detailing oscillation physics, nucleon decay, low-energy neutrinos, and beyond-Standard-Model searches, with simulation, reconstruction, and calibration frameworks.

ABSTRACT

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay -- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. DUNE is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. Volume II of this TDR, DUNE Physics, describes the array of identified scientific opportunities and key goals. Crucially, we also report our best current understanding of the capability of DUNE to realize these goals, along with the detailed arguments and investigations on which this understanding is based. This TDR volume documents the scientific basis underlying the conception and design of the LBNF/DUNE experimental configurations. As a result, the description of DUNE's experimental capabilities constitutes the bulk of the document. Key linkages between requirements for successful execution of the physics program and primary specifications of the experimental configurations are drawn and summarized. This document also serves a wider purpose as a statement on the scientific potential of DUNE as a central component within a global program of frontier theoretical and experimental particle physics research. Thus, the presentation also aims to serve as a resource for the particle physics community at large.

Motivation & Objective

• Motivate and articulate the science goals of the DUNE program and the Far Detector's role in advancing neutrino physics and related beyond-Standard-Model searches.
• Define the detector design requirements, calibration strategies, and simulation/reconstruction pipelines necessary to achieve the physics goals.
• Provide a structured assessment of DUNE's sensitivity to neutrino oscillations, CP violation, mass hierarchy, nucleon decay, supernova neutrinos, and other beyond-Standard-Model phenomena.
• Outline the near and far detector concepts, including single-phase and dual-phase technologies, and the ProtoDUNE prototypes that validate performance.

Proposed method

• Describe Monte Carlo frameworks for neutrino flux modeling, interaction generators, detector simulations, and data acquisition assumptions.
• Detail the Far Detector event reconstruction chain including TPC signal processing, hit/space-point identification, clustering, pattern recognition, and calorimetric/particle identification.
• Explain reconstruction performance assessments using Pandora and ProtoDUNE-SP as validation beds.
• Present a calibration strategy with physics-driven requirements, calibration sources, and staging plan including 39Ar decays as a calibration component.
• Outline the analysis framework for DUNE, including the sensitivity methodology and the DUNE Analysis Framework.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What is DUNE's expected sensitivity to CP-violation in the neutrino sector and to the neutrino mass hierarchy?
• RQ2 How do near detector measurements constrain systematics and improve oscillation parameter precision?
• RQ3 What are the detector performance requirements and calibration strategies needed to achieve the science goals?
• RQ4 What is the reach of DUNE for nucleon decay, sterile neutrinos, and other beyond-Standard-Model phenomena?
• RQ5 How do reactor and atmospheric neutrinos, as well as supernova neutrinos, complement the beam-based program?

Key findings

• Sensitivity studies indicate DUNE's capability to probe CP violation and mass ordering with the far detector setup described.
• Comprehensive simulation and reconstruction frameworks are established, including CVN-based event selection and ProtoDUNE validations.
• A detailed calibration plan and energy scale management are proposed to control dominant systematics.
• Nucleon decay and other beyond-Standard-Model searches are integrated into the physics program with detector requirements outlined.
• The document outlines how near detector data will constrain flux, cross-section, and detector-related uncertainties to improve oscillation measurements.