A Comprehensive Look at Nucleon Decay Modes for the DUNE Experiment
Session Number
R07
Advisor(s)
Maury Goodman, Argonne National Laboratory
Location
A-121
Start Date
28-4-2016 1:35 PM
End Date
28-4-2016 2:00 PM
Abstract
Set to begin in 2021, the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a particle physics experiment focused on the detection of the yet unobserved phenomenon of proton decay, a prediction of all Grand Unified Theories, which postulate the unification of strong, weak, and electromagnetic particle interactions. Though previous studies have placed limits on several nucleon (proton or bound neutron) decay modes, no experiment has published a comprehensive search for all such modes. Current lifetime limits of the modes were extrapolated and compared for both DUNE and Super-Kamiokande, the only currently ongoing proton decay experiment. A data table on an Excel spreadsheet and corresponding memo were created detailing the assumptions and calculations made for each mode, specifically the existing limits for each decay channel, algorithms used to extrapolate both experiments, and the likelihood of each discussed particle to escape the nucleus, rendering it visible to the detector. Preliminary extrapolations suggest that by 2053 DUNE's exposure will have surpassed that of Super-Kamiokande. It is recommended that more extensive analyses such as Monte Carlo simulations are performed for the most promising modes in the DUNE experiment.
A Comprehensive Look at Nucleon Decay Modes for the DUNE Experiment
A-121
Set to begin in 2021, the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a particle physics experiment focused on the detection of the yet unobserved phenomenon of proton decay, a prediction of all Grand Unified Theories, which postulate the unification of strong, weak, and electromagnetic particle interactions. Though previous studies have placed limits on several nucleon (proton or bound neutron) decay modes, no experiment has published a comprehensive search for all such modes. Current lifetime limits of the modes were extrapolated and compared for both DUNE and Super-Kamiokande, the only currently ongoing proton decay experiment. A data table on an Excel spreadsheet and corresponding memo were created detailing the assumptions and calculations made for each mode, specifically the existing limits for each decay channel, algorithms used to extrapolate both experiments, and the likelihood of each discussed particle to escape the nucleus, rendering it visible to the detector. Preliminary extrapolations suggest that by 2053 DUNE's exposure will have surpassed that of Super-Kamiokande. It is recommended that more extensive analyses such as Monte Carlo simulations are performed for the most promising modes in the DUNE experiment.