First Observation Of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering

Abstract

Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$\nu$NS) has the largest predicted cross-section of all low-energy neutrino couplings. However, as a neutral-current interaction, the only experimental signature of CE$\nu$NS is a low-energy nuclear recoil, which made its detection challenging. CE$\nu$NS remained unobserved for over four decades. This thesis describes the experiment that resulted in a CE$\nu$NS observation at a 6.7-sigma confidence level. A low-background, 14.6-kg CsI[Na] scintillator was exposed to the neutrino emissions from the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Characteristic CE$\nu$NS signatures in energy and time, compatible with predictions from the Standard Model, were observed in high signal-to-background conditions. CE$\nu$NS provides new opportunities to study neutrino properties, and enables the miniaturization of detectors.

This dissertation was submitted to the faculty of the Division of Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago in candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. It was successfully defended on October 16, 2017

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Measurement of the Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering Cross Section on CsI by COHERENT
• Flavor-dependent radiative corrections in coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering
• CE$\nu$NS Experiment Proposal at CSNS
• A Light Mediator Relating Neutrino Reactions
• Characterization and Optimization of a Cryogenic Pure CsI Detector with Remarkable Light Yield and Unprecedented Energy Resolution for CLOVERS Experiment