Measurement of the Electron Antineutrino Oscillation with 1958 Days of Operation at Daya Bay
Not Available
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Engineering topics
Kramer, M.
Publications and source records attributed to Kramer, M..
Search for a time-varying electron antineutrino signal at Daya Bay
Not Available
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
LArPix: demonstration of low-power 3D pixelated charge readout for liquid argon time projection chambers
In this work, we report the demonstration of a low-power pixelated readout system designed for three-dimensional ionization charge detection and digital readout of liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs) . Unambiguous 3D charge readout was achieved using a custom-designed system-on-a-chip ASIC (LArPix) to uniquely instrument each pad in a pixelated array of charge-collection pads. The LArPix ASIC, manufactured in 180 nm bulk CMOS, provides 32 channels of charge-sensitive amplification with self-triggered digitization and multiplexed readout at temperatures from 80 K to 300 K . Using an 832-channel LArPix-based readout system with 3 mm spacing between pads, we demonstrated low-noise (0<50 e - RMS equivalent noise charge) and very low-power (<100 μW/channel) ionization signal detection and readout . The readout was used to successfully measure the three-dimensional ionization distributions of cosmic rays passing through a LArTPC, free from the ambiguities of existing projective techniques. The system design relies on standard printed circuit board manufacturing techniques, enabling scalable and low-cost production of large-area readout systems using common commercial facilities. This demonstration overcomes a critical technical obstacle for operation of LArTPCs in high-occupancy environments, such as the near detector site of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) .
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
Cosmogenic neutron production at Daya Bay
Not Available
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Formation of Double Neutron Star Systems
Double neutron star (DNS) systems represent extreme physical objects and the endpoint of an exotic journey of stellar evolution and binary interactions. Large numbers of DNS systems and their mergers are anticipated to be discovered using the Square Kilometre Array searching for radio pulsars, and the high-frequency gravitational wave detectors (LIGO/VIRGO), respectively. Here we discuss all key properties of DNS systems, as well as selection effects, and combine the latest observational data with new theoretical progress on various physical processes with the aim of advancing our knowledge on their formation. We examine key interactions of their progenitor systems and evaluate their accretion history during the high-mass X-ray binary stage, the common envelope phase, and the subsequent Case BB mass transfer, and argue that the first-formed NSs have accreted at most ∼0.02 M{sub ⊙}. We investigate DNS masses, spins, and velocities, and in particular correlations between spin period, orbital period, and eccentricity. Numerous Monte Carlo simulations of the second supernova (SN) events are performed to extrapolate pre-SN stellar properties and probe the explosions. All known close-orbit DNS systems are consistent with ultra-stripped exploding stars. Although their resulting NS kicks are often small, we demonstrate a large spread in kick magnitudes that may, in general, depend on the past interaction history of the exploding star and thus correlate with the NS mass. We analyze and discuss NS kick directions based on our SN simulations. Finally, we discuss the terminal evolution of close-orbit DNS systems until they merge and possibly produce a short γ-ray burst.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay
Here, the Daya Bay experiment has observed correlations between reactor core fuel evolution and changes in the reactor antineutrino flux and energy spectrum. Four antineutrino detectors in two experimental halls were used to identify 2.2 million inverse beta decays (IBDs) over 1230 days spanning multiple fuel cycles for each of six 2.9 GW th reactor cores at the Daya Bay and Ling Ao nuclear power plants. Using detector data spanning effective 239 Pu fission fractions F 239 from 0.25 to 0.35, Daya Bay measures an average IBD yield ¯σf of (5.90±0.13)×10 –43 cm 2 /fission and a fuel-dependent variation in the IBD yield, dσ f /dF 239 , of (–1.86±0.18)×10 –43 cm 2 /fission. This observation rejects the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino flux as a function of the 239 Pu fission fraction at 10 standard deviations. The variation in IBD yield is found to be energy dependent, rejecting the hypothesis of a constant antineutrino energy spectrum at 5.1 standard deviations. While measurements of the evolution in the IBD spectrum show general agreement with predictions from recent reactor models, the measured evolution in total IBD yield disagrees with recent predictions at 3.1σ. This discrepancy indicates that an overall deficit in the measured flux with respect to predictions does not result from equal fractional deficits from the primary fission isotopes 235 U, 239 Pu, 238 U, and 241 Pu. Based on measured IBD yield variations, yields of (6.17±0.17) and (4.27±0.26)×10 –43 cm 2 /fission have been determined for the two dominant fission parent isotopes 235 U and 239 Pu. A 7.8% discrepancy between the observed and predicted 235 U yields suggests that this isotope may be the primary contributor to the reactor antineutrino anomaly.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Spin-down Evolution and Radio Disappearance of the Magnetar PSR J1622–4950
We report on 2.4 yr of radio timing measurements of the magnetar PSR J1622−4950 using the Parkes Observatory, between 2011 November and 2014 March. During this period the torque on the neutron star (inferred from the rotational frequency derivative) varied greatly, though much less erratically than during the 2 yr following its discovery in 2009. During the last year of our measurements the frequency derivative decreased in magnitude monotonically by 20%, to a value of −1.3 × 10{sup −13} s{sup −2}, a factor of 8 smaller than when it was discovered. The flux density continued to vary greatly during our monitoring through 2014 March, reaching a relatively steady low level after late 2012. The pulse profile varied secularly on a similar timescale as the flux density and torque. A relatively rapid transition in all three properties was evident in early 2013. After PSR J1622−4950 was detected in all of our 87 observations up to 2014 March, we did not detect the magnetar in our resumed monitoring starting in 2015 January and have not detected it in any of the 30 observations conducted through 2016 September.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation based on 1230 days of operation of the Daya Bay experiment
Here, a measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation by the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment is described in detail. Six 2.9-GWth nuclear power reactors of the Daya Bay and Ling Ao nuclear power facilities served as intense sources of ¯ν e ’s. Comparison of the ¯ν e rate and energy spectrum measured by antineutrino detectors far from the nuclear reactors (~1500–1950 m) relative to detectors near the reactors (~350–600 m) allowed a precise measurement of ¯ν e disappearance. More than 2.5 million ¯ν e inverse beta-decay interactions were observed, based on the combination of 217 days of operation of six antineutrino detectors (December, 2011–July, 2012) with a subsequent 1013 days using the complete configuration of eight detectors (October, 2012–July, 2015). The ¯ν e rate observed at the far detectors relative to the near detectors showed a significant deficit, R = 0.949 ± 0.002(stat) ± 0.002(syst). The energy dependence of ¯ν e disappearance showed the distinct variation predicted by neutrino oscillation. Analysis using an approximation for the three-flavor oscillation probability yielded the flavor-mixing angle sin 2 2θ 13 = 0.0841 ± 0.0027(stat) ± 0.0019(syst) and the effective neutrino mass-squared difference of |Δm 2 ee | = (2.50 ± 0.06(stat) ± 0.06(syst)) × 10 –3 eV 2 . Analysis using the exact three-flavor probability found Δm 2 32 = (2.45 ± 0.06(stat) ± 0.06(syst)) × 10 –3 eV 2 assuming the normal neutrino mass hierarchy and Δm 2 32 = (–2.56 ± 0.06(stat) ± 0.06(syst)) × 10 –3 eV 2 for the inverted hierarchy.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Improved measurement of the reactor antineutrino flux and spectrum at Daya Bay
Here, a new measurement of the reactor antineutrino flux and energy spectrum by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. The antineutrinos were generated by six 2.9 GW th nuclear reactors and detected by eight antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (560 m and 600 m flux-weighted baselines) and one far (1640 m flux-weighted baseline) underground experimental halls. With 621 days of data, more than 1.2 million inverse beta decay (IBD) candidates were detected. The IBD yield in the eight detectors was measured, and the ratio of measured to predicted flux was found to be 0.946 ± 0.020 (0.992 ± 0.021) for the Huber+Mueller (ILL+Vogel) model. A 2.9σ deviation was found in the measured IBD positron energy spectrum compared to the predictions. In particular, an excess of events in the region of 4$-$6 MeV was found in the measured spectrum, with a local significance of 4.4σ. Finally, a reactor antineutrino spectrum weighted by the IBD cross section is extracted for model-independent predictions.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
THE BRAKING INDEX OF A RADIO-QUIET GAMMA-RAY PULSAR
We report the discovery and timing measurements of PSR J1208−6238, a young and highly magnetized gamma-ray pulsar, with a spin period of 440 ms. The pulsar was discovered in gamma-ray photon data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) during a blind-search survey of unidentified LAT sources, running on the distributed volunteer computing system Einstein@Home . No radio pulsations were detected in dedicated follow-up searches with the Parkes radio telescope, with a flux density upper limit at 1369 MHz of 30 μ Jy. By timing this pulsar’s gamma-ray pulsations, we measure its braking index over five years of LAT observations to be n = 2.598 ± 0.001 ± 0.1, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second estimates the bias due to timing noise. Assuming its braking index has been similar since birth, the pulsar has an estimated age of around 2700 years, making it the youngest pulsar to be found in a blind search of gamma-ray data and the youngest known radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsar. Despite its young age, the pulsar is not associated with any known supernova remnant or pulsar wind nebula. The pulsar’s inferred dipolar surface magnetic field strength is 3.8 × 10{sup 13} G, almost 90% of the quantum-critical level. We investigate some potential physical causes of the braking index deviating from the simple dipole model but find that LAT data covering a longer time interval will be necessary to distinguish between these.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Improved Search for a Light Sterile Neutrino with the Full Configuration of the Daya Bay Experiment
Here this Letter reports an improved search for light sterile neutrino mixing in the electron antineutrino disappearance channel with the full configuration of the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. With an additional 404 days of data collected in eight antineutrino detectors, this search benefits from 3.6 times the statistics available to the previous publication, as well as from improvements in energy calibration and background reduction. A relative comparison of the rate and energy spectrum of reactor antineutrinos in the three experimental halls yields no evidence of sterile neutrino mixing in the 2 x 10 -4 $\lesssim$| Δ$2\atop{41}$| $\lesssim$ 0.3 eV 2 . The resulting limits on sin 2 $2\theta$ 14 are improved by approximately a factor of two over previous results and constitute the most stringent constraints to date in the |Δm$2\atop{41}$| $\lesssim$ 0.2 eV 2 region.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
Long-term study of the double pulsar J0737-3039 with XMM-Newton: pulsar timing
The relativistic double neutron star binary PSR J0737−3039 shows clear evidence of orbital phase-dependent wind-companion interaction, both in radio and X-rays. In this paper, we present the results of timing analysis of PSR J0737−3039 performed during 2006 and 2011 XMM-Newton Large Programs that collected ∼20,000 X-ray counts from the system. We detected pulsations from PSR J0737−3039A (PSR A) through the most accurate timing measurement obtained by XMM-Newton so far, the spin period error being of 2 × 10{sup −13} s. PSR A’s pulse profile in X-rays is very stable despite significant relativistic spin precession that occurred within the time span of observations. This yields a constraint on the misalignment between the spin axis and the orbital momentum axis δ{sub A}≈6.6{sub −5.4}{sup +1.3} deg, consistent with estimates based on radio data. We confirmed pulsed emission from PSR J0737−3039B (PSR B) in X-rays even after its disappearance in radio. The unusual phenomenology of PSR B’s X-ray emission includes orbital pulsed flux and profile variations as well as a loss of pulsar phase coherence on timescales of years. We hypothesize that this is due to the interaction of PSR A’s wind with PSR B’s magnetosphere and the orbital-dependent penetration of the wind plasma onto PSR B closed field lines. Finally, the analysis of the full XMM-Newton data set provided evidence of orbital flux variability (∼7%) for the first time, involving a bow-shock scenario between PSR A’s wind and PSR B’s magnetosphere.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
PSR B0329+54: STATISTICS OF SUBSTRUCTURE DISCOVERED WITHIN THE SCATTERING DISK ON RADIOASTRON BASELINES OF UP TO 235,000 km
We discovered fine-scale structure within the scattering disk of PSR B0329+54 in observations with the RadioAstron ground–space radio interferometer. Here we describe this phenomenon, characterize it with averages and correlation functions, and interpret it as the result of decorrelation of the impulse-response function of interstellar scattering between the widely separated antennas. This instrument included the 10 m Space Radio Telescope, the 110 m Green Bank Telescope, the 14 × 25 m Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, and the 64 m Kalyazin Radio Telescope. The observations were performed at 324 MHz on baselines of up to 235,000 km in 2012 November and 2014 January. In the delay domain, on long baselines the interferometric visibility consists of many discrete spikes within a limited range of delays. On short baselines it consists of a sharp spike surrounded by lower spikes. The average envelope of correlations of the visibility function shows two exponential scales, with characteristic delays of τ{sub 1}=4.1±0.3 μs and τ{sub 2}=23±3 μs, indicating the presence of two scales of scattering in the interstellar medium. These two scales are present in the pulse-broadening function. The longer scale contains 0.38 times the scattered power of the shorter one. We suggest that the longer tail arises from highly scattered paths, possibly from anisotropic scattering or from substructure at large angles.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
New measurement of antineutrino oscillation with the full detector configuration at Daya Bay
We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10 5 GW th ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six 241 Am- 13 C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of 2 sin2θ 13 and |Δm 2 ee | were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave 2 sin2θ 13 =0.084±0.005 and |Δm 2 ee |=(2.42±0.11)×10 –3 eV 2 in the three-neutrino framework.
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
PSR J1906+0722: an Elusive Gamma-Ray Pulsar
Here, we report the discovery of PSR J1906+0722, a gamma-ray pulsar detected as part of a blind survey of unidentified Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) sources being carried out on the volunteer distributed computing system, Einstein@Home. This newly discovered pulsar previously appeared as the most significant remaining unidentified gamma-ray source without a known association in the second Fermi-LAT source catalog (2FGL) and was among the top 10 most significant unassociated sources in the recent third catalog (3FGL). PSR J1906+0722 is a young, energetic, isolated pulsar, with a spin frequency of 8.9 Hz, a characteristic age of 49 kyr, and spin-down power $1.0\times {10}^{36}$ erg s -1 . In 2009 August it suffered one of the largest glitches detected from a gamma-ray pulsar (${\rm{\Delta }}f/f\approx 4.5\times {10}^{-6}$). Remaining undetected in dedicated radio follow-up observations, the pulsar is likely radio-quiet. An off-pulse analysis of the gamma-ray flux from the location of PSR J1906+0722 revealed the presence of an additional nearby source, which may be emission from the interaction between a neighboring supernova remnant and a molecular cloud. We discuss possible effects which may have hindered the detection of PSR J1906+0722 in previous searches and describe the methods by which these effects were mitigated in this survey. Lastly, we also demonstrate the use of advanced timing methods for estimating the positional, spin and glitch parameters of difficult-to-time pulsars such as this.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Vapor Extraction Well Performance and Recommendations for Future Soil Vapor Extraction Activities at the A-014 Outfall
The vadose zone near the A-014 Outfall contains residual volatile organic compounds that serve as a potential source for groundwater contamination. Since 1995 active soil vapor extraction has been an integral part of the corrective actions at this facility. Currently two separate soil vapor extraction systems are being used to remove contamination in the vapor phase from the subsurface. The 782-3M soil vapor extraction unit was deployed in April of 1995 and the A-014 Mobile #3 unit was deployed in January of 2009. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the performance of individual wells associated with these systems and provide recommendations on possible optimizations to these systems. Options that are considered include continuation of active extraction, transition to a low-energy soil vapor extraction treatment, or abandon nonperforming wells. The scope of the investigation examined the eighteen (18) vadose zone wells that are associated with the ongoing Resource Conservation and Recovery Act corrective action program within A/M Area. During the evaluation process, individual wells were isolated and purged for a standard period using the existing soil vapor extraction system. Following the purge period, vapor samples were collected intermittently over the following 24–72-hour period. The objective of the sampling activity was to collect sufficient data to estimate the mass flow rate of contaminants from the individual extraction wells. Subsequent analysis then evaluated and ranked extraction performance to provide recommendations on the viability, operational scheme, and applicability of low energy soil vapor extraction.
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
THE BINARY COMPANION OF YOUNG, RELATIVISTIC PULSAR J1906+0746
PSR J1906+0746 is a young pulsar in the relativistic binary with the second-shortest known orbital period, of 3.98 hr. We here present a timing study based on five years of observations, conducted with the five largest radio telescopes in the world, aimed at determining the companion nature. Through the measurement of three post-Keplerian orbital parameters, we find the pulsar mass to be 1.291(11) M {sub ☉}, and the companion mass 1.322(11) M {sub ☉}, respectively. These masses fit well in the observed collection of double neutron stars (DNSs), but are also compatible with other systems where a young pulsar such as J1906+0746 is orbited by a white dwarf (WD). Neither radio pulsations nor dispersion-inducing outflows that could have further established the companion nature were detected. We derive an H I-absorption distance, which indicates that an optical confirmation of a WD companion is very challenging. The pulsar is fading fast due to geodetic precession, limiting future timing improvements. We conclude that the young pulsar J1906+0746 is likely part of a DNS, or is otherwise orbited by an older WD, in an exotic system formed through two stages of mass transfer.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
Six faint gamma-ray pulsars seen with the Fermi Large Area Telescope: Towards a sample blending into the background
Context. Here, GeV gamma-ray pulsations from over 140 pulsars have been characterized using the Fermi Large Area Telescope, enabling improved understanding of the emission regions within the neutron star magnetospheres, and the contributions of pulsars to high energy electrons and diffuse gamma rays in the Milky Way. The first gamma-ray pulsars to be detected were the most intense and/or those with narrow pulses. Aims. As the Fermi mission progresses, progressively fainter objects can be studied. In addition to more distant pulsars (thus probing a larger volume of the Galaxy), or ones in high background regions (thus improving the sampling uniformity across the Galactic plane), we detect pulsars with broader pulses or lower luminosity. Adding pulsars to our catalog with inclination angles that are rare in the observed sample, and/or with lower spindown power, will reduce the bias in the currently known gamma-ray pulsar population. Methods. We use rotation ephemerides derived from radio observations to phase-fold gamma rays recorded by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, to then determine the pulse profile properties. Spectral analysis provides the luminosities and, when the signal-to-noise ratio allows, the cutoff energies. We constrain the pulsar distances by different means in order to minimize the luminosity uncertainties. Results. We present six new gamma-ray pulsars with an eclectic mix of properties. Three are young, and three are recycled. They include the farthest, the lowest power, two of the highest duty-cycle pulsars seen, and only the fourth young gamma-ray pulsar with a radio interpulse. Finally, we discuss the biases existing in the current gamma-ray pulsar catalog, and steps to be taken to mitigate the bias.
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗