COHERENT Plans for D$_2$O at the Spallation Neutron Source

TL;DR

This paper discusses plans to reduce neutrino flux uncertainties at the SNS by developing a D$_2$O detector, enabling precise cross-section measurements and improving the accuracy of CEvNS experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to normalize neutrino flux using a D$_2$O detector and detailed Geant4 simulations to enhance measurement precision.

Findings

Geant4 simulation of neutrino production at SNS

Development of a 670 kg D$_2$O detector for flux normalization

Projected reduction of flux uncertainty from 10% to a lower value

Abstract

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is a pulsed source of neutrons and, as a byproduct of this operation, an intense source of neutrinos via stopped-pion decay. The COHERENT collaboration uses this source to investigate coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) with a suite of detectors. To enable precise cross-section measurements, we must address an estimated 10\% uncertainty in our flux calculation associated with the lack of data for $\pi^\pm$ production from 1 GeV protons on an Hg target. We present here our Geant4 simulation of neutrino production at the SNS and our plans to experimentally normalize this flux with the development of a 670 kg D$_2$O detector. Using the precise cross section calculations for neutrino interactions on deuterium, we will dramatically reduce our flux uncertainty.