- Double Chooz:
An experiment based in France that is searching for the last parameter of the three-neutrino mixing matrix (90% CL sensitivity as a function of year is shown at right). Near detector running starts in 2009.
MIT is contributing to:- Construction of the Outer Veto, along with Barnard, Chicago and Columbia
- Design and implementation, of the environmental monitoring, along with Kansas State University,
- Organization of the thermal analysis of the detector.
MIT is also involved in developing the physics case for searches for rare particles using the Double Chooz detector.
Others in the Conrad Double Chooz group: Len Bugel, Kazuhiro Terao, Lindley Winslow
- microBooNE:
A state-of-the-art detector based on liquid argon running in the Booster Beamline. This experiment was approved by Fermilab in summer 2008 and will run in 2011. microBooNE investigates a wide range of physics, including:
- Follow-up to the MiniBooNE low energy excess
- New searches for exotic particles
- Measurements of cross sections crucial to future oscillations and proton decay experiments.
MIT is responsible for the phototubes which provide a trigger and veto for the experiment. Members of our group are also convenors of the Active Detectors Group and the Physics Analysis Group.
Others in the Conrad MicroBooNE group: Len Bugel, Georgia Karagiorgi, Teppei Katori (starting Feb. 2009), Van NguyenWhat's wrapping up (Analyses proceeding through 2010)...?
- MiniBooNE, which investigates the LSND anomaly. This experiment will take data through 2009. We have published results on neutrino running and are now investingating antineueutrino interactions. Our publications are here.
Others in the Conrad MiniBooNE group: Janet Conrad, Georgia Karagiorgi, Van Nguyen. Other MIT Faculty on MiniBooNE: Jocelyn Monroe
- SciBooNE, which acts as a near detector for MiniBooNE and also measures neutrino cross sectuons. This experiment ended data-taking in August, 2008.
Others in the Conrad SciBooNE group: Hide TanakaWhat's in the future (Ideas)...?
- NuSOnG, a neutrino-electron scattering experiment using a Tevatron-based beam. MIT faculty Peter Fisher and Joe Formaggio also collaborate on this project.
- CosmoNeut -- an experiment searching for the cosmic neutrinos produced in the Big Bang. MIT faculty Peter Fisher and Joe Formaggio also collaborate on this project.
- Development of liquid argon detector technology -- I am particularly interested in light detection. Scintillation light in liquid argon is produced at 128 nm (!) Finding ways to detect this with high efficiency is a challenge.MIT faculty Bill Barletta and Peter Fisher also collaborate on this project.
People:
Who is who in my group...
Postdocs:- Teppei Katori (joining Feb. 2009) -- MicroBooNE
- Hide Tanaka (joint with Columbia) -- SciBooNE
- Lindley Winslow -- Double Chooz
Grad Students:- Georgia Karagiorgi, 4th year -- MiniBooNE (analysis), MicroBooNE (detector studies)
- Van Nguyen, 4th year -- MiniBooNE (analysis), MicroBooNE (Monte Carlo), phototube development (detector studies)
- Kazuhiro Terao -- Double Chooz (analysis and detector studies)
UROP Undergrad: Javier Duarte (anomaly-produced photons)
Retired high school teacher and mechanical engineer: Len Bugel (all of the above!)Other close collaborators at MIT...
My experiments are part of a larger family of dark matter and neutrino experiments at MIT. These experiments use the weakest of interactions to probe for evidence of new physics beyond the Standard Model. Other Physics Dept faculty also working in this area are:
- Bill Barletta
- Peter Fisher
- Joe Formaggio
- Jocelyn Monroe
- Gabriella Sciolla
- Dick Yamamoto
Close collaborators at other institutions...
I recently moved from Columbia University and continue to collaborate closely with
Mike Shaevitz and other members of the Columbia Neutrino Group.In Double Chooz, we collaborate closely with Glenn Horton Smith from Kansas State University.
For opportunities for UROPS and grad students, contact conrad at mit.edu
The Conrad Research Group
Locations:
What's New...?
In LNS at MIT
Janet's office at MIT: Building 26-537
Group at MIT: Building 26-570
Group at Fermilab: Wilson Hall 10 West
1241 tubes
line The MiniBooNE detector )
Research Program:
