Objective The goal of this proposal is to search for an entirely new kind of matter. This type of matter called a sterile neutrino doesn’tinteract with known particles and can only manifest itself through quantum mixing with the three neutrinos of the standardmodel, the prevailing theory of particle physics. The known neutrinos are by far the most abundant massive particles in theUniverse. More than 70 years after the postulation of the existence of the neutrino, its nature and fundamental propertiesremain, paradoxically, poorly known. The discovery of the quantum mixing of neutrinos: neutrino oscillations, was a majorsurprise as it implied that neutrinos have mass which they do not have in the standard model. In this context the existence ofa sterile neutrino is a natural extension but the discovery of this new state of matter would a profound challenge for thetheory to explain. Several new anomalous experimental results have appeared which could be accounted for by thepresence of a light sterile neutrino but each result taken separately is not statistically significant. New oscillation patterns inthe neutrino energy spectrum would be a clear signature of the new state but are difficult to measure due to experimentaland background limitations. We propose the most sensitive search to date for this oscillation signature using two key assets:The SCK•CEN BR2 reactor which offers a unique low background environment combined with a novel detector technologyinvented by the PI capable of discriminating signal and background with greater sensitivity that any previous technique. Wepresent an experimental program that includes the construction of a detector module and its precise calibration, theprogramming of a new type of electronic trigger and implementation of state of the art reconstruction techniques andanalysis. The results that this proposal will deliver are far reaching both in science and in the development of a newtechnology for detecting anti-neutrinos. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsneutrinosengineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesnuclear engineeringnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyastrophysicsdark matternatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learningnatural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-CoG-2015 - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2015-CoG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Host institution IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE Net EU contribution € 1 559 347,95 Address SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 559 347,95 Beneficiaries (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 1 559 347,95 Address SOUTH KENSINGTON CAMPUS EXHIBITION ROAD SW7 2AZ LONDON See on map Region London Inner London — West Westminster Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 559 347,95 UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 41 882,00 Address BEACON HOUSE QUEENS ROAD BS8 1QU Bristol See on map Region South West (England) Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area Bristol, City of Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 41 882,00 THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 217 323,05 Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 217 323,05
