Project description
Expanding our understanding of physics with neutrinos
The Standard Model of physics is our basis for understanding how elementary particles interact, but it still doesn’t provide a complete picture. The EU-funded ESSCEvNS project will use newly developed coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) to explore theories that go beyond the existing model. Researchers will develop a CEvNS detector with cryogenic undoped caesium iodide scintillators monitored by innovative sensors, combined with next-generation waveshifters. Employing the upcoming European Spallation Source (ESS), the project will have access to about 12 000 CEvNS events per year with greater sensitivity than ever before. It will also test prototype xenon-based detectors and new germanium devices. The target is to explore new particle and nuclear physics theories by combining these new technologies with the physics potential of the ESS.
Objective
Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CEvNS), a recently discovered process of neutrino interaction, provides numerous opportunities to search for physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). The CEvNS cross-section, much larger than for any other coupling, results in a dramatic miniaturization of neutrino detectors. However, the faint signals generated (few-keV nuclear recoils, NRs) require advanced detector technologies. The unprecedented neutrino flux from the upcoming European Spallation Source (ESS) provides the opportunity for a definitive exploration of all phenomenological applications of CEvNS.
The centerpiece of this proposal is the development of a new CEvNS detector technology, cryogenic undoped CsI scintillators monitored by innovative sensors (the largest avalanche photodiodes produced to date), in combination with state-of-the-art waveshifters (nanostructured organosilicon luminophores). An array of seven CsI crystals at the ESS, operating at 80 K and adding up to just 32 kg, will provide an exceptionally-high signal rate of 12,000 CEvNS events per year, significantly surpassing the sensitivity of ton-scale detectors at present-day spallation sources. The signal output per energy deposited in this new hybrid device is the highest ever achieved with scintillators: this provides a sensitivity to the lowest NR energies expected from CEvNS, for which deviations from the SM are most evident.
This combination of detector technology and neutrino source will achieve the best foreseeable sensitivity to new particle and nuclear physics via CEvNS. A first investigation of the response of high-pressure xenon detectors to low-energy NRs will also be performed. For reasons of nuclear structure, CsI and Xe are essentially identical in their response to CEvNS. However, the technologies and their expected systematics are entirely different. Their simultaneous use at the ESS will provide a unique, robust confirmation of any signatures of new physics encountered.
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.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry noble gases
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics neutrinos
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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)
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.
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-ADG
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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.