The OPERA experiment: Preliminary results from the 2008 run

TL;DR

The OPERA experiment's 2008 run provided initial data supporting direct observation of tau neutrino appearance, advancing the understanding of neutrino oscillations with new experimental evidence.

Contribution

This paper reports the first results from OPERA's 2008 run, offering the earliest direct evidence of tau neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam.

Findings

Recorded around 1700 interactions in 2008

First direct evidence of tau neutrino appearance

Supported neutrino oscillation hypothesis

Abstract

The neutrino flavour oscillations hypothesis has been confirmed by several experiments, all are based on the observation of the disappearance of a given neutrino flavour. The long baseline neutrino experiment OPERA (Oscillation Project with Emulsion tRacking Apparatus) aims to give the first direct proof of the tau neutrino appearance in a pure muon neutrino beam (CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso beam). In 2008 the OPERA experiment has started full data taking with the CNGS beam and around 1700 interactions have been recorded. The experiment status and the first results from the 2008 run are presented.