T2K Research of neutrino oscillations — second generation experiment — design of a detector and participation in data acquisition in the T2K experiment

Project coordinator
prof. Danuta Kiełczewska, Ph.D., D.Sc., Warsaw University.

Partners
Warsaw University, Institute of Nuclear Problems, Świerk, Wrocław University, the Silesian University, Institute of Nuclear Physics of H. Niewodniczyński, Polish Academy of Sciences.

Aim of project
The project is part of the collaboration with the T2K experiment in Japan. The T2K is a component of the second generation long-baseline neutrino-oscillation experiment intended for studies of the nature of neutrinos and the effect of their oscillations. Artificial neutrino beam generated in the proton accelerator in Tokai is shot towards the 50-kT water Cherenkov detector, Super-Kamiomande, which is located about 1000 m underground in Kamioka mine and is 295 km away from Tokai.

The Institute of Radioelectronics takes part in the design of SMRD (Side Muon Range Detector), which is a part of the near detector (ND280), located in Tokai, 28 m away from the target position, intended for measurements of neutrino spectrum, contamination and interaction cross-sections before oscillation.

Expected results
The purpose of the project is to develop procedures and test equipment for automated measurements of silicon photomultipliers (MPPC — Multi-Pixel Photon Counters) and subsequent measurements of a large number of these detectors. Also, electronic modules for detecting light pulses coming from scintillation counters (basic active part of SMRD detector) will be designed and manufactured. The team will also take part in assembling and commissioning the detector in Tokai, as well as in designing software for data processing and analysis.