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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

Astroparticle physics with a customized low-background broad energy Germanium detector

The Majorana Collaboration is building the Majorana Demonstrator, a 60 kg array of high purity germanium detectors housed in an ultra-low background shield at the Sanford Underground Laboratory in Lead, SD. The Majorana Demonstrator will search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76Ge while demonstrating the feasibility of a tonne-scale experiment. It may also carry out a dark matter search in the 1-10 GeV/c² mass range. We have found that customized Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors produced by Canberra have several desirable features for a neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment, including low electronic noise, excellent pulse shape analysis capabilities, and simple fabrication. We have deployed a customized BEGe, the Majorana Low-Background BEGe at Kimballton (MALBEK), in a low-background cryostat and shield at the Kimballton Underground Research Facility in Virginia. This paper will focus on the detector characteristics and measurements that can be performed with such a radiation detector in a low-background environment.

dark matter↗
DOE OSTI2022

Superconducting detectors for rare event searches in experimental astroparticle physics

Superconducting detectors have become an important tool in experimental astroparticle physics, which seeks to provide a fundamental understanding of the Universe. In particular, such detectors have demonstrated excellent potential in two challenging research areas involving rare event search experiments, namely, the direct detection of dark matter (DM) and the search for neutrinoless double beta decay. Here, we review the superconducting detectors that have been and are planned to be used in these two categories of experiments. We first provide brief histories of the two research areas and outline their significance and challenges in astroparticle physics. Then, we present an extensive overview of various types of superconducting detectors with a focus on sensor technologies and detector physics, which are based on calorimetric measurements and heat flow in the detector components. Finally, we introduce leading experiments and discuss their future prospects for the detection of DM and the search for neutrinoless double beta decay employing superconducting detectors.

transition edge sensors↗
DOE OSTI2011

The Impact of LUNA Results on Astroparticle Physics

LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) is devoted to measure nuclear cross sections relevant in astroparticle physics. The facility operates underground, at the 'Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso'(LNGS), where the cosmic ray induced background is very low. The LUNA measurements are important in neutrino physics, in the study of the Sun and other celestial bodies, in the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Astroparticle Physics Experiments in the Baksan Neutrino Observatory

The Baksan Neutrino Observatory (BNO) of the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences is one of the first-rate scientific centers where the experimental research in the field of astroparticle physics is performed. In this paper, a brief overview of research at the unique complex of surface and underground experimental facilities, consisting of the Baksan Underground Scintillation Telescope (BUST) and EAS arrays Carpet-2 and Andyrchy, is presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Latin American Strategy for Research Infrastructures for High Energy, Cosmology, Astroparticle Physics LASF4RI for HECAP

The present document, the Latin American HECAP Physics Briefing Book, is the result of this ambitious grass roots effort. This report contains the work performed by the Preparatory Group to synthesize the main contributions and discussions for each of the topical working groups: Astronomy, Astrophysics and Astroparticle Physics; Cosmology; Dark Matter; Neutrinos; Electroweak and Strong Interactions, Higgs physics, Flavour and CP Physics and Beyond the Standard Model Physics; Instrumentation and Computing. This work aims at providing a landscape of existing expertise and capabilities. It will hopefully instruct some recommendations for further development of strategic research infrastructures relevant for future HECAP efforts in the region as well as for a continuous and successful involvement of Latin American HECAP researchers in the global arena.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

A fixed-target programme at the LHC for heavy-ion, hadron, spin and astroparticle physics: AFTER@LHC

Thanks to its multi-TeV LHC proton and lead beams, the LHC complex allows one to perform the most energetic fixed-target experiments ever and to study with high precision pp, pd and pA collisions at √ s NN = 115 GeV and Pbp and PbA collisions at √ s NN = 72 GeV. In conclusion we present a selection of feasibility studies for the production of quarkonia, open heavy-flavor mesons as well as light-flavor hadrons in pA and PbA collisions using the LHCb and ALICE detectors in a fixed-target mode.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Design and characterization of the SPT-3G receiver (Conference Presentation)

(On behalf of the SPT-3G collaboration)The SPT-3G receiver was commissioned in early 2017 on the 10-meter South Pole Telescope (SPT) to map the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) with arcminute resolution. The new instrument significantly improves on previous SPT camera designs, offering unprecedented sensitivity to the CMB’s temperature and polarization anisotropies while maintaining a tight control on systematic effects.A restructured optics chain features new secondary and tertiary mirrors to increase the receiver’s field of view by a factor of four in area, coupling light through a set of four cryogenic 720 mm alumina elements, which re-image the Gregorian focus inside the receiver. The broad-band (70-270 GHz) anti-reflective coated lenses are paired with a Lyot stop and cooled to 4 K using a dedicated two-stage pulse-tube cooler (PTC) to minimize in-band attenuation, internal radiative loading, and stray light on the considerably larger focal plane, which is populated with ~2,700 diffraction-limited pixels.Each independent pixel incorporates a lenslet-coupled broadband sinuous antenna, which routes signals through superconducting transmission lines and in-line band-defining filters to six transition-edge sensors, each measuring one of three bands (90, 150, and 220 GHz) and two polarizations, yielding a total of ~16,000 bolometers distributed across ten 150 mm monolithic wafers on a 430 mm image plane. A robust mechanical and thermal architecture supports and cools all detectors across this sizable focal plane to ~250 mK using a closed-cycle Helium adsorption refrigerator backed by a PTC, allowing a duty cycle greater than 90%.This order of magnitude increase in detector count relies on an improved digital frequency-domain SQUID readout system which integrates superconducting inductor-capacitor resonators wired in series with each bolometer to achieve a 68x multiplexing factor while mitigating noise and crosstalk effects.Cumulatively, SPT-3G’s new optics, detector, and readout strategies boast a potential factor of ~20 improvement in mapping speed over its predecessor, SPT-Pol, offering the potential to improve our understanding of inflationary physics, astroparticle physics, and growth of structure. We summarize the new receiver’s core design principles, outline technology characterization results, and report on plans for future upgrades.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Studies in Quantum Field Theory and Astroparticle Physics

OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH PLAN: Task 1: Theoretical Research in High Energy Physics Prof. Alford investigated the phases and properties of matter at the highest densities achieved in nature. His main focus was on quark matter and its manifestations and signatures in neutron stars. His work is directly relevant to both the Cosmic and the Energy Frontiers. Prof. Bender developed PT-symmetric quantum theory, which is a complex generalization of conventional Hermitian quantum theory. During the grant period, he constructed and analyzed new PT-symmetric field theoretic models that exhibit symmetry breaking. He also worked on other fundamental problems in theoretical physics. His work falls under the Intensity Frontier classification. Prof. Bernard continued to work on lattice gauge theory and associated issues in chiral perturbation theory. His research focused primarily on the calculation of weak matrix elements relevant to tests of the standard model and the search for new physics at the Intensity Frontier. This work included both direct numerical simulations in QCD and the development of theoretical tools to analyze the simulations and facilitate the comparison with Intensity-Frontier experiments. Prof. Ferrer continued working on dark matter and other topics in theoretical particle cosmology. His research focused on weakly interacting massive particles relevant to both the Cosmic and the Energy Frontiers, and on dark photons relevant to the Intensity Frontier. Prof. Ogilvie continued his work on lattice gauge theory and the phase structure of gauge theories. His research on the properties of confined, conformal and Higgs phases is relevant to the Energy Frontier, as well as addressing fundamental issues of broad theoretical interest. Task 2: Experimental Research at the Cosmic Frontier in High Energy Physics. Over the three year grant period, Profs. Buckley and Krawczynski continued research under the Cosmic Frontier. Prof. Buckley's group worked on two Cosmic Frontier projects (VERITAS and LZ), and conducted research in dark matter science and other areas of particle astrophysics. Buckley’s group worked on the conceptual design of the next generation ground-based gamma-ray experiment (CTA) and on the development of camera electronics for a 2-mirror SCT prototype telescope. Buckley's group also continued work on GaN photodetector detector development as part of the Instrumentation Frontier (Detector R&D) including work with the LAPPD group on the development robust amorphous photocathodes for very large area MCP-based photodetectors and ongoing development of deep UV photosensors for liquid Ar and Xenon Direct Dark matter detection. Prof. Krawczynski's group worked on two Cosmic Frontier topics: astrophysical tests of Lorentz Invariance and CPT symmetries at the Planck energy scale with the VERITAS gamma-ray experiment, and the search for dark matter particles with indirect detection experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Investigations in γ-Ray Astrophysics and Astroparticle Physics

This report describes the status of data analysis efforts, results and publications of research grant DE-SC0009917. The research is focused on TeV gamma-ray studies of astrophysical sources and related particle physics questions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fundamental problems in astroparticle physics and cosmology (Final Technical Report)

In the standard cosmological model, structure forms when gas cools and condenses to the center of dark matter halos. The onset of structure is governed by rapid star formation and subsequent evolution of the first massive stars. One of the endpoints of stellar evolution is the formation of a black hole. We showed that all black hole merger events must occur after the universe is about 85 million years old. This prediction is important because it means that if a future experiment makes a detection of a black hole merger event at an earlier time then our understanding of cosmology and the onset of structure formation is not fully developed. In addition, we explored dark matter models that have either self-interactions or experience decays. In the first case, self-interactions may lead to the formation of a thick disk that can be co-planar to the Galactic disc due to correlations in angular momentum between dark matter and baryons that are predicted by tidal torque theory. We showed that for heavy dark matter particles, either the self interaction may not be strong enough to solve the small scale structure motivation or a dark disc cannot be present in the Milky Way. In the second-case, we showed that if dark matter experiences decays into two particles, one of which behaves like radiation, then it is possible to relieve the tension that exists between measurements of the local expansion rate. Finally, we developed methods on how to distinguish gamma-ray excesses from promising dark matter targets as compared to conventional astrophysical sources. This is an important toolset that is applicable to any suspected dark matter source.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

An Experimental Program in Neutrinos, Nucleon Decay and Astroparticle Physics Enabled by the Fermilab Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility

A new International Team (DUNE - Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) has been formed to pursue an accelerator-based long-baseline neutrino experiment, as well as neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay, with an approximately 40 kt (fiducial) modular liquid argon TPC (LAr-TPC) detector located deep underground and a high-resolution near detector. Several independent worldwide efforts, developed through years of detailed studies, are converging around the oppor- tunity provided by the megawatt neutrino beam facility planned at Fermilab and by the new sig- nificant expansion with improved access at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, 1,300 km from Fermilab. The principle goals of this experiment are: a comprehensive investigation of neutrino oscillations to test CP violation in the lepton sector, determine the ordering of the neutrino masses, and test the three-neutrino paradigm; to perform a broad set of neutrino scattering measurements with the near detector; and to exploit the large, high-resolution, underground far detector for non-accelerator physics topics including atmospheric neutrino measurements, searches for nucleon decay, and measurement of astrophysical neutrinos especially those from a core-collapse supernova.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Astroparticle Physics at DUNE

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will pursue a broad program on neutrino physics and astrophysics with a staged 40 kt LAr detector at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) 1300 km from Fermilab. The scientific goals include neutrino oscillations studies with a powerful neutrino beam from Fermilab leading to determining the neutrino mass ordering and the measurement of the CP violating phase. The underground location of the DUNE far detector will allow undertaking searches for new phenomena and the detection of astrophysical processes involving neutrino emission. The observation of the neutrino signal from a core-collapse supernova in the DUNE LAr TPCs will provide unique and unprecedented information on the mechanism of supernovae in addition to enabling the search for new physics. In addition, DUNE will search for proton decay in the range of proton lifetimes predicted by a wide range of GUT models by virtue of its high detection efficiency and low background rates.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

SUSY 2025 at UC Santa Cruz (Final Technical Report)

The 32nd International Conference on Supersymmetry and the Unification of Fundamental Interactions (SUSY 2025) took place from August 18--23, 2025. During the week preceding the SUSY 2025 conference, the associated pre-SUSY school took place from August 11--15, 2025. Both events were organized and hosted by the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The SUSY 2025 conference brought together theorists and experimentalists specializing in particle physics, astroparticle physics, cosmology, mathematical physics, and string theory to discuss recent developments in these areas, with a focus on theoretical aspects and experimental searches associated with phenomena that lie beyond the Standard Model of particle physics and the standard mathematical framework of modern cosmology. The pre-SUSY school provided advanced pedagogical lectures for graduate students and early-career postdoctoral researchers on many of the foundational topics that were subsequently addressed in the main SUSY 2025 conference that followed. DOE support helped increase accessibility for early-career scientists by covering conference support costs that enabled free participation in the pre-SUSY school and substantially reduced registration fees for students attending the conference.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗