Muon capture on light isotopes in Double Chooz

Abstract

Using the Double Chooz detector, designed to measure the neutrino mixing angle ${\theta }_{13}$, the products of ${\mu }^{-}$ capture on ${}^{12}$C, ${}^{13}$C, ${}^{14}$N and ${}^{16}$O have been measured. Over a period of 489.5 days, $2.3\times 10^6$ stopping cosmic ${\mu }^{-}$ have been collected, of which $1.8\times 10^5$ captured on carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen nuclei in the inner detector scintillator or acrylic vessels. The resulting isotopes were tagged using prompt neutron emission (when applicable), the subsequent beta decays, and, in some cases, $\beta$-delayed neutrons. The most precise measurement of the rate of ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}({\mu }^{-},\nu {)}^{12}\mathrm{B}$ to date is reported: $6.57_{-0.21}^{+0.11}\times 10^3{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$, or $(17.35_{-0.59}^{+0.35})\%$ of nuclear captures. By tagging excited states emitting gammas, the ground state transition rate to ${}^{12}$B has been determined to be $5.68_{-0.23}^{+0.14}\times 10^3{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. The heretofore unobserved reactions ${}^{12}\mathrm{C}({\mu }^{-},\nu \alpha {)}^8\mathrm{Li}$, ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}({\mu }^{-},\nu \mathrm{n}\alpha {)}^8\mathrm{Li}$, and ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}({\mu }^{-},\nu \mathrm{n}{)}^{12}\mathrm{B}$ are measured. Further, a population of $\beta$n decays following stopping muons is identified with $5.5\sigma$ significance. Statistics limit our ability to identify these decays definitively. Assuming negligible production of ${}^8$He, the reaction ${}^{13}\mathrm{C}({\mu }^{-},\nu \alpha {)}^9\mathrm{Li}$ is found to be present at the $2.7\sigma$ level. Limits are set on a variety of other processes.

arXiv comment21 pages, 14 figures. Minor revisions. Corresponding author: M. Strait

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• Effect of Siegert's Theorem on Low-Energy Neutrino-Nucleus Interactions
• PhyLiNO: A Forward-Folding Likelihood-Fit Framework for Neutrino Oscillation Physics