Project description
Probing neutrino interactions with smaller, more sensitive detectors
Detecting neutrinos typically requires heavy, large-sized detectors. A recently observed particular interaction of neutrinos with atomic nuclei, called the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, could be used to probe neutrinos with smaller-scale experiments. However, observing this interaction requires a source of low-energy neutrinos, and the European Spallation Source in Lund (Sweden) has been identified as optimal in this regard. The EU-funded GanESS project aims to develop a time projection chamber (a particle detector for reconstructing particle trajectories or interactions) that can hold 20 kg of xenon gas at a high pressure. The proposed detector that will be installed in the European Spallation Source is expected to be more sensitive to coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering events.
Objective
The recent detection of the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEnNS) opens the possi- bility of using neutrinos to explore physics beyond the Standard Model deploying small detectors. However, the CEnNS process generates signals at the few keV level, requiring very sensitive detection technologies. The European Spallation Source (ESS) has been identified as an optimal source of low energy neutrinos offering an opportunity to explore at depth the physics of CEnNS, with large discovery potential. In this project, I propose to apply the high-pressure noble gas TPC technology to the detection of the CEnNS process at the ESS. This will require the detection techniques sensitive to very low-energy depositions as well as improving the current knowledge of the quenching factor for nuclear recoils in xenon, argon and neon gas at keV energies. This project proposes the development of a novel detector able to hold 20 kg of xenon gas at high pressure. The device will operate at the ESS, providing more than 7,000 CEnNS events per year, potentially overtaking the sensitivities of much larger detectors in current spallation sources. Operation with xenon will explore most of the possible new physics associated with the CEnNS process. Furthermore, the high pressure technology offers the possibility to operate the same detector with different gases at minimal extra costs, thus providing a unique tool to further explore any signatures of new physics at the ESS.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2021-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20018 Donostia San Sebastian
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.