First events from the CNGS neutrino beam detected in the OPERA experiment

TL;DR

The OPERA experiment successfully detected initial neutrino events from the CNGS beam, marking a milestone in neutrino physics and paving the way for studying neutrino oscillations.

Contribution

First detection of neutrino events from the CNGS beam in the OPERA experiment, demonstrating the detector's capability and readiness for oscillation studies.

Findings

First neutrino events detected from CNGS beam

Data consistent with expected beam intensity

Validation of detector performance and setup

Abstract

The OPERA neutrino detector at the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory (LNGS) was designed to perform the first detection of neutrino oscillations in appearance mode, through the study of nu_mu to nu_tau oscillations. The apparatus consists of a lead/emulsion-film target complemented by electronic detectors. It is placed in the high-energy, long-baseline CERN to LNGS beam (CNGS) 730 km away from the neutrino source. In August 2006 a first run with CNGS neutrinos was successfully conducted. A first sample of neutrino events was collected, statistically consistent with the integrated beam intensity. After a brief description of the beam and of the various sub-detectors, we report on the achievement of this milestone, presenting the first data and some analysis results.