NOSTOS: a spherical TPC to detect low energy neutrinos

Abstract

A novel low-energy ($\sim$few keV) neutrino-oscillation experiment NOSTOS, combining a strong tritium source and a high pressure spherical Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detector 10 m in radius has been recently proposed. The oscillation of neutrinos of such energies occurs within the size of the detector itself, potentially allowing for a very precise (and rather systematics-free) measure of the oscillation parameters, in particular, of the smaller mixing angle ${\theta }_{13}$, which value could be determined for the first time. This detector could also be sensitive to the neutrino magnetic moment and be capable of accurately measure the Weinberg angle at low energy. The same apparatus, filled with high pressure Xenon, exhibits a high sensitivity as a Super Nova neutrino detector with extra galactic sensitivity. The outstanding benefits of the new concept of the spherical TPC will be presented, as well as the issues to be demonstrated in the near future by an ongoing R&D. The very first results of small prototype in operation in Saclay are shown.

arXiv commenttalk given at Workshop on Low Radioactivity Techniques, LRT2004, Sudbury, Canada, December 2004. 9 pages, 5 figures

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• Theta_13: phenomenology, present status and prospect
• A Plan to Rule out Large Non-Standard Neutrino Interactions After COHERENT Data
• Background optimization for a new spherical gas detector for very light WIMP detection
• Direct searches for Dark Matter Particles: WIMPs and axions
• Underground physics without underground labs: large detectors in solution-mined salt caverns