WIDG Seminar, Samuel Hedges, Duke University, “Experimental Tests of Low Energy Neutrino-Nucleus Interactions at the Spallation Neutron Source”

The intense flux of neutrinos produced at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) make it an ideal location to pursue studies of low energy neutrino-nucleus interactions. The COHERENT experiment has deployed a suite of detectors to the SNS to measure coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS), a standard model process predicted more than forty years ago but only recently observed. CEvNS plays an important role in the evolution of a supernova, is a background for WIMP searches, and has potential applications for monitoring reactor neutrinos. In addition, COHERENT is studying several inelastic neutrino-nucleus cross sections that are of interest for supernova neutrino detection and as backgrounds for CEvNS measurements. An overview of the COHERENT program at the SNS, supporting nuclear physics measurements, and recent results will be presented.
Host: Tong Liu