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Author(s)
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Andringa, S (LIP, Coimbra ; Coimbra U. ; Coimbra Inst. Sup. Eng.) ; Asaadi, J (Texas A-M) ; Bezerra, J T C (Sussex U.) ; Capozzi, F (Valencia U., IFIC) ; Caratelli, D (UC, Santa Barbara, Dept. Math. ; UC, Santa Barbara) ; Cavanna, F (Fermilab) ; Church, E (PNL, Richland) ; Efremenko, Y (Tennessee U.) ; Foreman, W (Illinois U., Chicago) ; Friedland, A (SLAC) ; Gardiner, S (Fermilab) ; Gil-Botella, I (Madrid, CIEMAT) ; Himmel, A (Fermilab) ; Junk, T (Fermilab) ; Karagiorgi, G (Columbia U.) ; Kirby, M (Fermilab) ; Klein, J (Pennsylvania U.) ; Lehmann-Miotto, G (CERN) ; Lepetic, I T (Rutgers U., Piscataway) ; Li, S (Fermilab) ; Littlejohn, B R (Illinois U., Chicago) ; Mooney, M (Colorado State U.) ; Reichenbacher, J (South Dakota Sch. Mines Tech.) ; Sala, P (INFN, Milan) ; Schellman, H (Oregon State U.) ; Scholberg, K (Duke U.) ; Sorel, M (Valencia U., IFIC) ; Sousa, A (Cincinnati U.) ; Wang, J (South Dakota Sch. Mines Tech.) ; Wang, M H L S (Fermilab) ; Wu, W (Fermilab) ; Yu, J (Texas A-M) ; Yang, T (Fermilab) ; Zennamo, J (Fermilab) |
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Abstract
| In this paper, we review scientific opportunities and challenges related to detection and reconstruction of low-energy (less than 100 MeV) signatures in liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC) neutrino detectors. LArTPC neutrino detectors designed for performing precise long-baseline oscillation measurements with GeV-scale accelerator neutrino beams also have unique sensitivity to a range of physics and astrophysics signatures via detection of event features at and below the few tens of MeV range. In addition, low-energy signatures are an integral part of GeV-scale accelerator neutrino interaction final-states, and their reconstruction can enhance the oscillation physics sensitivities of LArTPC experiments. New physics signals from accelerator and natural sources also generate diverse signatures in the low-energy range, and reconstruction of these signatures can increase the breadth of Beyond the Standard Model scenarios accessible in LArTPC-based searches. A variety of experimental and theory-related challenges remain to realizing this full range of potential benefits. Neutrino interaction cross-sections and other nuclear physics processes in argon relevant to sub-hundred-MeV LArTPC signatures are poorly understood, and improved theory and experimental measurements are needed; pion decay-at-rest sources and charged particle and neutron test beams are ideal facilities for improving this understanding. There are specific calibration needs in the low-energy range, as well as specific needs for control and understanding of radiological and cosmogenic backgrounds. Low-energy signatures, whether steady-state or part of a supernova burst or larger GeV-scale event topology, have specific triggering, DAQ and reconstruction requirements that must be addressed outside the scope of conventional GeV-scale data collection and analysis pathways. Novel concepts for future LArTPC technology that enhance low-energy capabilities should also be explored to help address these challenges. |