How is the Neutrino Flux Measured in Accelerator Neutrino Experiments?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the measurement of neutrino flux in accelerator neutrino experiments, specifically focusing on the role of near detectors such as those used in the T2K experiment. Participants explore the challenges and methodologies involved in quantifying neutrino interactions and flux calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how neutrino flux can be measured given the low interaction rate of neutrinos with matter in near detectors.
  • Another participant argues that the interaction rate is not low due to the proximity of the near detector, which results in a higher flux compared to far detectors, following an inverse square law.
  • There is a suggestion to compute the flux using simulations of the target station and to consider the production of pions as a proxy for estimating neutrino flux.
  • Participants discuss the relationship between interaction rate, flux, and cross section, indicating that the interaction rate can serve as a proxy for the flux despite uncertainties.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the calculations and the proportional relationship between produced neutrinos and interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the interaction rate is higher in near detectors and that it can be used to estimate neutrino flux, but there remains some confusion and uncertainty regarding the calculations and assumptions involved. Multiple viewpoints on the methodology and implications are present.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention statistical and systematic uncertainties related to the measurements, as well as the need for simulations to accurately compute flux, indicating limitations in the current understanding and methods discussed.

kimmm
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How does the neutrio flux can be measured by a near detector of the accelerator neutrio experiments,such as T2K?
As I know neutrino interactions with the matter in the near detector is too low,and so how they can count the neutrino flux by counting the produced particle from the interaction?
 
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Have you tried to do the maths? The rate is not too low. In fact, it is typically higher than in the far detector as the near detector is much closer and the flux decreases as ##1/L^2## with the distance ##L## from the source.
 
Orodruin said:
Have you tried to do the maths? The rate is not too low. In fact, it is typically higher than in the far detector as the near detector is much closer and the flux decreases as ##1/L^2## with the distance ##L## from the source.

yeah as you said in the near detector the rate is higher, do you know the way of calclating the flux in the near detector?
 
kimmm said:
yeah in as you said in the near detector the rate is high
So why do you claim it is not?

Typically you would compute the flux by simulations of the target station. You can make a reasonable proxy by assuming an amount of produced pions and finding the corresponding flux in the forward direction - unless what you have is an off-axis beam in which case you would need an off-axis direction.

Edit: You can also look at the simulations already done by the experiments, e.g., https://arxiv.org/pdf/1211.0469.pdf
 
Orodruin said:
So why do you claim it is not?

Typically you would compute the flux by simulations of the target station. You can make a reasonable proxy by assuming an amount of produced pions and finding the corresponding flux in the forward direction - unless what you have is an off-axis beam in which case you would need an off-axis direction.
can I sum it up like this,although may be I am still a bit confused about that,
well as the pions produced,then they will decay to neutrinos and the neutrinos go through the detector,but still the problem is that just 1 in 10 to power 20 of the neutrios do the interaction with the target,so can we do the proportional relations to compute the neutrino flux?
 
Yes, why wouldn't you? The interaction rate is proportional to the flux multiplied by the cross section. Obviously you will have related statistical and systematic uncertainties, but a priori the rate is a direct proxy for the flux.
 
Orodruin said:
So why do you claim it is not?

Typically you would compute the flux by simulations of the target station. You can make a reasonable proxy by assuming an amount of produced pions and finding the corresponding flux in the forward direction - unless what you have is an off-axis beam in which case you would need an off-axis direction.

Edit: You can also look at the simulations already done by the experiments, e.g., https://arxiv.org/pdf/1211.0469.pdf

thanks for the paper
 
Orodruin said:
Yes, why wouldn't you? The interaction rate is proportional to the flux multiplied by the cross section. Obviously you will have related statistical and systematic uncertainties, but a priori the rate is a direct proxy for the flux.
thank you soooo much, it was really a huge struggle in my mind.
 

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