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Faculty
and Student Teams Program
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Project Descriptions
Brookhaven
National Laboratory
Physics
Department
Electronic
Detector Group
Requesting applications from science or engineering
faculty members at institutions serving students underrepresented in science,
engineering, mathematics and technology, to work on the detection of
antineutrinos.
Project Description
Our group expects to participate in an experiment to
detect antineutrinos originating in the fission of fuel in a complex of
nuclear reactors. The object
is to measure the probability of oscillation of the electron-type
antineutrinos originating from the nuclear reaction to another type of
neutrino. This
probability, which is known to be rather small, is a crucial parameter for
understanding the mixing of neutrino types (or “flavors”).
The principle of the measurement is to compare the signal rates of
few MeV antineutrinos in detectors placed within a few hundred meters of
the reactors with identical ones placed a couple of kilometers away.
The experiment attempts to measure an apparent deficit of neutrinos
as small as 1%. To meet
this demanding specification, the detectors will be made so that the near
and far modules can be exchanged. To
reduce the background from cosmic rays the detectors must be placed
hundreds of meters below the surface of the earth.
The antineutrinos are detected via the inverse beta-decay reaction
on protons in liquid scintillator: anti-nep®e+n.
The positron is detected promptly (within nanosectonds) by the
liquid scintillator, whereas the neutrion bounces around in the liquid for
many microseconds until being absorbed on a nucleus of Gadolinium, which
is present as a small impurity. The
neutron absorption releases gamma rays with a total energy of 8 MeV,
completing the experimental signature of the process.
The specific tasks for which faculty and student participation is
sought are:
1.
Monte Carlo
simulation of the detector, using the GEANT 4
and other programs. The object is optimization of the experimental
design
2.
Tests of veto counter (scintillator)
modules. These would be tested
using radioactive sources and cosmic rays.
Applicants Responsibilities
and Relationship to Project Applicants will
receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team
Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research
team at BNL for up to 10 weeks during the year starting in June of 2006,
Summer and academic year visits to BNL will be scheduled by mutual
agreement between staff in the Physics Department
Electron Detector Research group and the successful applicant.
Ideally faculty will work at BNL on the project for 10 weeks during the
summer in the first year. Faculty will be expected to identify students
from their campus to participate in the FaST program offered by the
Department of Energy at BNL. Faculty will provide some mentorship and/or
advising support to students during the summer research activities. It is
expected that the Faculty member will become an integral part of the
research team working on this project and will support the project through
the academic year on her or his campus.
Qualifications of Ideal Candidate
| Faculty: | Ph.D. with experience in
particle or nuclear physics. Works
well in a collaborative environment with students and other researchers.
Currently teaches and collaborates with students in his/her field.
Possesses good written and verbal communication skills.
Willing to work at BNL for an extended period during the summer. |
| Student: | Working towards a BS or BA
in physics or computer science. Works
well in collaboration with faculty, other students, and researchers.
Possesses good written and verbal communication skills.
Willing to work at BNL for an extended period. Willing to perform
data collection in the field. |
Support
and Financial Commitments See Financial
Information.
For More Information contact:
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