Search

New results of measurements of the dependences of the flux of reactor antineutrinos and their spectrum on the distance from the center of the core of the SM-3 reactor (Dimitrovgrad, Russia) in the range from 6 to 12 m are presented. Additional measurements were conducted. The volume of accumulated experimental data was increased nearly by a factor of two. A model-independent analysis was performed on the basis of all data in order to determine the oscillation parameters $$\Delta m_{14}^{2}$$ and $$\sin^{2}2\theta_{14}$$ . The method of a coherent summation of measurement results makes it possible to demonstrate directly the oscillation effect. We observed the oscillation effect at a level of three standard deviations ( $$3.0\sigma$$ ) in the vicinities of parameters values of $$\Delta m_{14}^{2}\approx 7.25$$ eV $${}^{2}$$ and $$\sin^{2}2\theta_{14}\approx 0.26\pm 008\left({3.0}\right)\sigma$$ . Combining the results of the Neutrino-4 experiment with results for the gallium anomaly and for the reactor anomaly, we obtained the following value: $$\sin^{2}2\theta_{14}\approx 0.19\pm 0.04(4.6\sigma)$$ .

The experiment Neutrino-4 started in 2014 with a detector model and continued with a full-scale detector in 2016–2021. In this article, we describe all the steps of the preparatory work on this experiment. We present all results of the Neutrino-4 experiment with increased statistical accuracy provided to date. The experimental setup is constructed to measure the flux and spectrum of the reactor antineutrinos as a function of distance to the center of the active zone of the SM-3 reactor (Dimitrovgrad, Russia) in the range of 6–12 meters. Using all the collected data, we performed a model-independent analysis to determine the oscillation parameters Δm142 and sin22θ14. The method of coherent summation of measurement results allows us to directly demonstrate the oscillation effect. We present the analysis of possible systematic errors and the MC model of the experiment, which considers the possibility of the effect manifestation at the present precision level. As a result of the analysis, we can conclude that at currently available statistical accuracy, we observe the oscillations at the 2.9σ level with the parameters Δm142=(7.3±0.13st±1.16syst) eV2=(7.3±1.17) eV2 and sin22θ=0.36±0.12stat(2.9σ). Monte Carlo based statistical analysis gave an estimation of the confidence level at 2.7σ. We plan to improve the currently working experimental setup and create a completely new setup in order to increase the accuracy of the experiment by 3 times. We also provide a brief analysis of the general experimental situation in the search for sterile neutrinos.

We report Neutrino-4 experiment results of measurements of reactor antineutrinos flux and spectrum dependence on the distance in range 6–12 m from the center of the reactor core. The fit of experimental dependence with the law 1/L2, where L is the distance from the reactor center, gave satisfactory result with goodness of fit 81%. However, we discovered that the experimental neutrino spectrum is different from the calculated one. Using experimental spectrum, we performed the model independent analysis of restrictions on oscillation parameters Δm 14 2 and sin2 2θ14. The results of this analysis exclude area of reactor and gallium anomaly at CL more than 99.7% (>3σ) for values Δm 14 2 0.1. However, we observed an oscillation effect at CL 2.8σ in vicinity of Δm 14 2 Δm 14 2 ≈ 7.3 eV2 and sin2 2θ14 ≈ 0.39. The method of coherent addition of results of measurements, which allows us to directly observe the effect of oscillations, is proposed. The analysis of that effect is presented. In general, it seems that the effect predicted in gallium and reactor experiments is being confirmed but at sufficiently large value of Δm 14 2 . Future prospects of the experiment are discussed.

Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research / A 1014, 165701 (2021). doi:10.1016/j.nima.2021.165701, Published by North-Holland Publ. Co., Amsterdam

First results on the energy spectrum and flux of reactor antineutrinos as a function of the distance L from the reactor core, measured in the Neutrino-4 experiment for 6 < L < 12 m, are presented. The flux L‑dependence fits to the 1/L2 form with a statistical significance of ~10% corresponding to 1.64σ, so that the measured spectrum deviates from the 1/L2 law at a confidence level ~90%. The measured energy spectrum deviates from the predicted one at a similar confidence level ~90%. That both deviations are best described with oscillation parameters in the same regions of $$\Delta m_{{14}}^{2} \approx 0.7{\text{-}}0.8$$ eV2and $${{\sin }^{2}}2{{\Theta }_{{14}}} \approx 0.10{\text{-}}0.15$$ boosts the overall confidence level to ~95% (2σ). These results suggest that antineutrinos oscillate to a sterile state, but still fall short of reliably establishing the oscillation phenomenon. At present, the possibility of mimicking the oscillation effect by systematic errors cannot be completely excluded.

An experimental search for sterile neutrinos has been carried out at a neutrino facility based on the SM-3 nuclear reactor in Dimitrovgrad, Russia. The movable detector with passive shielding against the external radiation may be positioned at a distance varying between 6 and 12 m from the center of the reactor. The antineutrino flux has for the first time been measured using a movable detector placed close to the antineutrino source. The accuracy of the measurements is largely restricted by the cosmic background. The results of the measurements performed at small and large distances are analyzed in terms of the sterile-neutrino model parameters Δm 14 2 and sin22θ14.

A laboratory for searching for oscillations of reactor antineutrinos has been created based on the SM-3 reactor in order to approach the problem of the possible existence of a sterile neutrino. The multisection detector prototype with a liquid scintillator volume of 350 L was installed in mid-2015. This detector can move inside the passive shield in a range of 6–11 m from the active core of the reactor. The antineutrino flux was measured for the first time at these short distances from the active core of the reactor by the movable detector. The measurements with the multisection detector prototype demonstrated that it is possible to measure the antineutrino flux from the reactor in the complicated conditions of cosmic background on the Earth’s surface.

In connection with the question of possible existence of sterile neutrino the laboratory on the basis of SM-3 reactor was created to search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino. A prototype of a neutrino detector with scintillator volume of 400 l can be moved at the distance of 6–11 m from the reactor core. The measurements of background conditions have been made. It is shown that the main experimental problem is associated with cosmic radiation background. Test measurements of dependence of a reactor antineutrino flux on the distance from a reactor core have been made. The prospects of search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino at short distances are discussed.

To check the existence of a sterile neutrino, a neutrino laboratory aimed at searching reactor antineutrino oscillations is created at the SM-3 reactor. A prototype of a neutrino detector with a scintillator volume of 400 L is moved at distances 6–11 m from the core of the reactor. Background conditions are measured. It is shown that the cosmic rays background is the main problem in the experiment. The prospects of the search for reactor antineutrino oscillations at short distances are discussed.

In view of the possibility of the existence of a sterile neutrino, test measurements of the dependence of the reactor antineutrino flux on the distance from the reactor core has been performed on SM-2 reactor with the Neutrino-2 detector model in the range of 6–11 m. Prospects of the search for reactor antineutrinos at short distances have been discussed.

In order to carry out research in the field of possible existence of a sterile neutrino the laboratory based on SM-3 reactor (Dimitrovgrad, Russia) was created to search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino. The prototype of a multi-section neutrino detector with liquid scintillator volume of 350 l was installed in the middle of 2015. It is a moveable inside the passive shielding detector, which can be set at distance range from 6 to 11 meters from the reactor core. Measurements of antineutrino flux at such short distances from the reactor core are carried out with moveable detector for the first time. The measurements with full-scale detector with liquid scintillator volume of 3 m^3 (5x10 sections) was started only in June, 2016. The today available data is presented in the article., 4 pages, 4 figures

In order to carry out research in the field of possible existence of sterile neutrino the laboratory based on SM-3 reactor (Dimitrovgrad, Russia) was created to search for oscillations of reactor antineutrino. The prototype of a multi-section neutrino detector with liquid scintillator volume of 350 l was installed in the middle of 2015. It is a moveable inside the passive shielding detector, which can be set at distance range from 6 to 11 meters from the reactor core. Measurements of antineutrino flux at such small distances from the reactor core carried out with movable detector for the first time. The measurements carried out with detector prototype demonstrated a possibility of measuring a reactor antineutrino flux in difficult conditions of cosmic background at Earth surface., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures

The main goal of experiment "Neutrino-4" is to search for the oscillation of reactor antineutrino to a sterile state. Experiment is conducted on SM-3 research reactor (Dimitrovgrad, Russia). Data collection with full-scale detector with liquid scintillator volume of 3m3 was started in June 2016. We present the results of measurements of reactor antineutrino flux dependence on the distance in range 6– 12 meters from the center of the reactor. At that distance range, the fit of experimental dependence has good agreement with the law 1/L2. Which means, at achieved during the data collecting accuracy level oscillations to sterile state are not observed. In addition, the spectrum of prompt signals of neutrino-like events at different distances have been presented.

We report the first observation of the Cabibbo-suppressed charm baryon decay Xi(+)(c)-->pK(-)pi(+). We observe 150+/-22+/-5 events for the signal. The data were accumulated using the SELEX spectrometer during the 1996-1997 fixed target run at Fermilab, chiefly from a 600 GeV/c Sigma(-) beam. The branching fractions of the decay relative to the Cabibbo-favored Xi(+)(c)-->Sigma+K-pi(+) and Xi(+)(c)-->Xi(-)pi(+)pi(+) are measured to be B(Xi(+)(c)-->pK(-)pi(+))/B(Xi(+)(c)-->Sigma+K-pi(+)) = 0.22+/-0. 06+/-0.03 and B(Xi(+)(c)-->pK(-)pi(+))/B(Xi(+)(c)-->Xi(-)pi(+)pi(+)) = 0.20+/-0.04+/-0.02, respectively.

The design and performance of the Fermilab E781 (SELEX) Hardware Scattering Trigger (HST) are described. This trigger functioned by distinguishing beam scattering at small angles ( >150 μ rad) from non-interacting beam. Six 50 μ m pitch silicon planes grouped in three ( x , y ) stations, two before and one after the target, were used as the particle detectors. The triggering system involved 1920 channels of readout providing data to the Fast Encoding and Readout System (FERS) with programmable trigger logic processor. The overall system was tested successfully at Fermilab during the 1996-1997 fixed target run. The encoding time of the readout part of the FERS device was 30 ns and the processor decision time was 55 ns. The HST provided an output signal 250 ns after beam traversal of the target.

We utilize the angle and momentum resolution of our apparatus to study the polarization of 375 GeV/c Sigma(+) hyperons produced by 800 GeV/c protons incident on a Cu target. By examining in detail two of our high statistics data samples, we find evidence for structure in the p(t) dependence of Sigma(+) polarization and are able to extract the x(F) dependence of the Sigma(+) polarization and compare it with x(F) behavior in the Lambda(0) and Xi(-) systems.

We have measured the branching ratio for the hyperon radiative decay ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p\ensuremath{\gamma} using the Fermilab polarized charged hyperon beam. This measurement and our previously published result on the asymmetry parameter in the same decay are part of Fermilab experiment E761. We find B(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p\ensuremath{\gamma})/B(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}$) to be [2.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.11(stat)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10(syst)]\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ with a sample of 31 901 events. The higher statistics and careful attention to systematic uncertainties make these significant improvements over previous measurements. We describe how our measurements were performed and briefly review the theoretical implications of these results.

We have measured the branching ratio for the hyperon radiative decay [Xi][sup [minus]][r arrow][Sigma][sup [minus]][gamma] from a sample of 211[plus minus]33 events obtained in the polarized 375 GeV/[ital c] charged hyperon beam at Fermilab. We find [ital B]([Xi][sup [minus]][r arrow][Sigma][sup [minus]][gamma]/[Xi][sup [minus]][r arrow][Lambda][sup 0][pi][sup [minus]])=(1.22[plus minus]0.23[plus minus]0.06)[times]10[sup [minus]4] where the quoted errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. We have also obtained an indication that the sign of the asymmetry parameter of this decay is positive.

We have measured the magnetic moments of the SIGMA+ and SIGMABAR- hyperons produced by 800-GeV protons incident on a Cu target. We determine the SIGMA+ magnetic moment to be (2.4613 +/- 0.0034 +/- 0.0040)mu(N) where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. In this first measurement we determine the magnetic moment of the SIGMABAR- to be -(2.428 +/- 0.036 +/- 0.007)mu(N). The magnetic moments of the SIGMA+ and SIGMABAR- are consistent with each other in magnitude but opposite in sign as required by CPT invariance.

We have measured the polarization of 375-GeV/c SIGMA+ and SIGMABAR- hyperons produced by 800-GeV/c protons incident on a Cu target. We find that the SIGMA+ polarization rises with increasing p(t) to a maximum of 16% at p(t) = 1.0 GeV/c and then decreases to 10% at p(t) = 1.8 GeV/c. We compare this SIGMA+ polarization with data at lower energies. The SIGMABAR- polarization has been measured for the first time. It has the same sign as the SIGMA+ but smaller magnitude in a similar kinematical region.

We have measured the asymmetry parameter (${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$) in the hyperon radiative decay ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p\ensuremath{\gamma} with a sample of 34 754\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}212 events obtained in a polarized charged hyperon beam experiment at Fermilab. We find ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$=-0.720\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.086\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.045, where the quoted errors are statistical and systematic, respectively.

We report the first observation of a charm-strange meson D(+)(sJ)(2632) at a mass of 2632.5+/-1.7 MeV/c(2) in data from SELEX, the charm hadro-production experiment E781 at Fermilab. This state is seen in two decay modes, D(+)(s)eta and D0K+. In the D(+)(s)eta decay mode we observe a peak with 101 events over a combinatoric background of 54.9 events at a mass of 2635.4+/-3.3 MeV/c(2). There is a corresponding peak of 21 events over a background of 6.9 at 2631.5+/-2.0 MeV/c(2) in the decay mode D0K+. The decay width of this state is17 MeV/c(2) at 90% confidence level. The relative branching ratio Gamma(D0K+)/Gamma(D(+)(s)eta) is 0.14+/-0.06. The mechanism that keeps this state narrow is unclear. Its decay pattern is also unusual, being dominated by the D(+)(s)eta decay mode.

We have searched for the rare hyperon radiative decay Omega- to Xi- gamma, using the Fermilab Proton Center 375 GeV/c charged hyperon beam. Our measurement of the Omega- beam fraction at 13.6 m from production is (4.8 +_ 0.4)10**(-5). No signal was found and we determine a new upper limit of (4.6 x 10**-4) at 90% CL for the Omega- to Xi- gamma branching ratio.

Pion virtual compton scattering (VCS) via the reaction pi(-)e-->pi(-)egamma was observed in the Fermilab E781 SELEX experiment. SELEX used a 600 GeV/c pi(-) beam incident on target atomic electrons, detecting the incident pi(-) and the final state pi(-), electron and gamma. Theoretical predictions based on chiral perturbation theory are incorporated into a Monte Carlo simulation of the experiment and are compared to the data. The number of reconstructed events (=9) and their distribution with respect to the kinematic variables (for the kinematic region studied) are in reasonable accord with the predictions. The corresponding pi(-) VCS experimental cross section is sigma=38.8+/-13 nb, in agreement with the theoretical expectation of sigma=34.7 nb.

We observe a signal for the doubly charmed baryon Xi(+)(cc) in the charged decay mode Xi(+)(cc)--Lambda(+)(c)K-pi(+) in data from SELEX, the charm hadroproduction experiment at Fermilab. We observe an excess of 15.9 events over an expected background of 6.1+/-0.5 events, a statistical significance of 6.3sigma. The observed mass of this state is 3519+/-1 MeV/c(2). The Gaussian mass width of this state is 3 MeV/c(2), consistent with resolution; its lifetime is less than 33 fs at 90% confidence.

We report new precision measurements of the lifetimes of the Lambda(+)(c) and D0 from SELEX, the charm hadroproduction experiment at Fermilab. Based upon 1630 Lambda(+)(c) and 10 210 D0 decays we observe lifetimes of tau[Lambda(+)(c)] = 198.1+/-7.0+/-5.6 fs and tau[D0] = 407.9+/-6.0+/-4.3 fs.

We report the first observation of the Cabibbo-suppressed charm baryon decay Ξ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+}. We observe 150±22±5 events for the signal. The data were accumulated using the SELEX spectrometer during the 1996-1997 fixed target run at Fermilab, chiefly from a 600 GeV/c Σ^{-} beam. The branching fractions of the decay relative to the Cabibbo-favored Ξ_{c}^{+}→Σ^{+}K^{-}π^{+} and Ξ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}π^{+} are measured to be B(Ξ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})/B(Ξ_{c}^{+}→Σ^{+}K^{-}π^{+})=0.22±0.06±0.03 and B(Ξ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+})/B(Ξ_{c}^{+}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}π^{+})=0.20±0.04±0.02, respectively.

This is a brief description of the forward spectrometer which was used as a part of SPES4π installation for an exclusive investigation of the p(α,α 1)X and p(→ d,d 1)X reactions at the SATURNE-II accelerator (CE Saclay). The spectrometer was designed to register the products of the recoil particle decay and to select the specific channels of the reaction. It consists of a set of multiwire drift chambers and scintillation counter hodoscope and was especially adapted for the operation close to a high intensity direct beam of the accelerated particles. The main parameters of the spectrometer and the results of its test are presented.

We have searched for the production and decay of light super-symmetric baryons produced in 800 GeV/c proton copper interactions in a charged hyperon beam experiment. We observe no evidence for the decays R+(uud \g^~) -> S(uds \g^~) pi+ and X-(ssd \g^~) -> S(uds \g^~) pi- in the predicted parent mass and lifetime ranges of 1700-2500 Mev/c2 and 50-500 ps. Production upper limits for R+ at xF=0.47, Pt=1.4 GeV/c2 and X- at xF=0.48, Pt=0.65 GeV/c2 of less than 10^-3 of all charged secondary particles produced are obtained for all but the highest masses and shortest lifetimes predicted., 9 pages, uuencoded postscript 4 figures uuencoded, tar-compressed file (submitted to PRL)

The main thrust of this experiment will be to measure the asymmetry parameter for the electroweak decay {Sigma}{sup +} {yields} p{gamma} and verify its branching ratio. As a secondary goal they will measure, or set new upper limits for, the branching ratio of the electroweak decay {Xi}{sup -} {yields} {Sigma}{sup -}{gamma}. Since the {Xi}{sup -} are expected to be polarized, information on the asymmetry parameter may also be available.

Heavy flavor experiments currently in progress at e{sup +}e{sup -} colliders or in the fixed target programs at CERN and Fermilab are aimed at collecting large samples (> 10,000 reconstructed events) of charmed events. These experiments will provide a great deal of information about charmed meson systems, but the expected yield of charmed baryons is not large--10% or less of the sample size. The most detailed study of the charm strange baryon {Xi}{sub c}{sup +} comes not from a large-statistics central production experiment at high energy but rather from a 20-day run at modest beam flux in the CERN hyperon beam. This proposal exploits the advantages in triggering and particle identification of large-x production to make a systematic study of charm baryon production and decay systematics. For the dominant ({approx} 10% branching ratio) modes of these baryons, they expect to collect 10{sup 6} triggered events in each mode per running period. This will give adequate statistics to study even highly suppressed modes. The study of meson systematics by the Mark III spectrometer at SPEAR led to a revolution in the understanding of charmed meson decay mechanisms. No present experiment will supply a similar data set for the charmed baryons. A fixed target experiment cannot supply the absolute branching ratios that e{sup +}e{sup -} annihilation on the {Upsilon}(3770) resonance provides for the Mark III data. They can supply relative branching ratios for the non-leptonic and semileptonic decay modes of charmed baryons and establish the importance of two-body resonance modes in the decay mechanism. This information, along with lifetime measurements for {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}, {Sigma}{sub c}{sup ++}, {Sigma}{sub c}{sup +}, {Sigma}{sub c}{sup 0}, {Xi}{sub c}{sup +} and {Omega}{sub c}{sup 0} baryons, will permit evaluation in the baryon sector of the role of color suppression, Pauli suppression, sextet enhancement and other varied mechanisms which influence decay rates of charmed hadrons. This information will be very difficult to obtain from existing spectrometers because of the wide range of particle identification methods needed to handle different decay modes. SELEX is designed specifically to do this job, as they said in the Letter of Intent.