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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
The '''K2K experiment''' ([[KEK]] to [[Kamioka Observatory|Kamioka]]) was a [[List of neutrino experiments|neutrino experiment]] that ran from June 1999 to November 2004. It used [[muon neutrino]]s from a well-controlled and well-understood [[particle beam|beam]] to verify the [[neutrino oscillation|oscillations]] previously observed by [[Super-Kamiokande]] using [[Neutrino#Atmospheric neutrinos|atmospheric neutrinos]]. This was the first positive measurement of [[neutrino oscillations]] in which both the source and detector were fully under experimenters' control.<ref>
The '''K2K experiment''' ([[KEK]] to [[Kamioka Observatory|Kamioka]]) was a [[List of neutrino experiments|neutrino experiment]] that ran from June 1999 to November 2004. It used [[muon neutrino]]s from a well-controlled and well-understood [[Accelerator neutrino|beam]] to verify the [[neutrino oscillation|oscillations]] previously observed by [[Super-Kamiokande]] using [[Neutrino#Atmospheric neutrinos|atmospheric neutrinos]]. This was the first positive measurement of [[neutrino oscillations]] in which both the source and detector were fully under experimenters' control.<ref>
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|author=
|date=18 August 2000
|date=18 August 2000
|title=Synthetic neutrinos appear to disappear
|title=Synthetic neutrinos appear to disappear
Line 10: Line 10:
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|author=N. Nosengo
|author=N. Nosengo
|year=2006
|date=2006
|title=Neutrinos make a splash in Italy
|title=Neutrinos make a splash in Italy
|journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]
|journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]
Line 16: Line 16:
|volume=443 |issue=7108 |pages=126
|volume=443 |issue=7108 |pages=126
|doi=10.1038/443126a
|doi=10.1038/443126a
|bibcode = 2006Natur.443..126N |url=https://cds.cern.ch/record/988253
}}</ref> Previous experiments relied on neutrinos [[Neutrino#Solar neutrinos|from the Sun]] or from [[cosmic ray|cosmic sources]]. The experiment found oscillation parameters which were consistent with those measured by Super-Kamiokande.
|doi-access=free
}}</ref> Previous experiments relied on neutrinos [[Neutrino#Solar neutrinos|from the Sun]] or from [[cosmic ray|cosmic sources]]. The experiment found oscillation parameters which were consistent with those measured by Super-Kamiokande.


==Experimental design==
==Experimental design==
[[Image:Super-k.jpg|thumb|The inside of the 50-kiloton [[Super-Kamiokande]] detector ("far detector").]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Super-k.jpg|thumb|The inside of the 50-kiloton [[Super-Kamiokande]] detector ("far detector").]] -->


K2K is a [[List of neutrino experiments|neutrino experiment]] which directed a beam of [[muon neutrino]]s ({{SubatomicParticle|muon neutrino}}) from the {{val|12|ul=GeV}} [[proton]] [[synchrotron]] at the [[KEK]], located in [[Tsukuba, Ibaraki|Tsukuba]], [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]], to the [[Kamioka Observatory]], located in [[Kamioka]], [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]], about 250&nbsp;km away.<ref name="K2K intro">
K2K is a [[List of neutrino experiments|neutrino experiment]] which directed a [[Accelerator neutrino|beam]] of [[muon neutrino]]s ({{Subatomic particle|muon neutrino}}) from the {{val|12|ul=GeV}} [[proton]] [[synchrotron]] at the [[KEK]], located in [[Tsukuba, Ibaraki|Tsukuba]], [[Ibaraki Prefecture|Ibaraki]], to the [[Kamioka Observatory]], located in [[Kamioka]], [[Gifu Prefecture|Gifu]], about 250&nbsp;km away.<ref name="K2K intro">
{{cite web
{{cite web
|date=13 June 2002
|date=13 June 2002
Line 27: Line 29:
|url=http://neutrino.kek.jp/intro/k2k.html
|url=http://neutrino.kek.jp/intro/k2k.html
|publisher=[[KEK|High Energy Accelerator Research Organization]]
|publisher=[[KEK|High Energy Accelerator Research Organization]]
|accessdate=2010-09-03
|access-date=2010-09-03
}}</ref> The muon neutrinos travelled through [[Earth]], which allowed them to [[neutrino oscillation|oscillate]] (change) into other [[flavour (particle physics)|flavours]] of [[neutrino]]s, namely into [[electron neutrino]]s ({{SubatomicParticle|electron neutrino}}) and [[tau neutrino]]s ({{SubatomicParticle|tau neutrino}}). K2K however, focused only on {{nowrap|{{SubatomicParticle|muon neutrino}} → {{SubatomicParticle|tau neutrino}}}} oscillations.<ref name="K2K results"/>
}}</ref> The muon neutrinos travelled through [[Earth]], which allowed them to [[neutrino oscillation|oscillate]] (change) into other [[flavour (particle physics)|flavours]] of [[neutrino]]s, namely into [[electron neutrino]]s ({{Subatomic particle|electron neutrino}}) and [[tau neutrino]]s ({{Subatomic particle|tau neutrino}}). K2K however, focused only on {{nowrap|{{Subatomic particle|muon neutrino}} → {{Subatomic particle|tau neutrino}}}} oscillations.<ref name="K2K results"/>


The proton beam from the synchrotron was directed onto an [[aluminium]] target, and the resulting collisions produced a copious amount of [[pion]]s. These pions were then focused into a 200&nbsp;m decay pipe, where they would [[particle decay|decay]] into [[muon]]s and [[muon neutrino]]s.<ref name="K2K intro"/> The muons were stopped at the end of the pipe, leaving a beam of muon neutrinos. The exact composition of the beam contained over 97% muon neutrinos, with the other 3% being made of electron neutrinos ({{SubatomicParticle|electron neutrino}}), electron antineutrinos ({{SubatomicParticle|electron antineutrino}}) and muon antineutrinos ({{SubatomicParticle|muon antineutrino}}).<ref name="K2K results"/>
The proton beam from the synchrotron was directed onto an [[aluminium]] target, and the resulting collisions produced a copious amount of [[pion]]s. These pions were then focused into a 200&nbsp;m decay pipe, where they would [[particle decay|decay]] into [[muon]]s and [[muon neutrino]]s.<ref name="K2K intro"/> The muons were stopped at the end of the pipe, leaving a beam of muon neutrinos. The exact composition of the beam contained over 97% muon neutrinos, with the other 3% being made of electron neutrinos ({{Subatomic particle|electron neutrino}}), electron antineutrinos ({{Subatomic particle|electron antineutrino}}) and muon antineutrinos ({{Subatomic particle|muon antineutrino}}).<ref name="K2K results"/>


After they exited the pipe, the neutrinos went through a 1-kiloton [[water]] [[Cherenkov detector|Cherenkov]] [[neutrino detector]] ("near detector") located at about 300&nbsp;m from the aluminium target to determine the neutrino beam characteristics. This 1-kiloton "near detector" was a scaled-down version of the 50-kiloton [[Super-Kamiokande]] "far detector" located at the [[Kamioka Observatory]], which allowed scientists to eliminate certain systematic uncertainties that would be present if two different detector types were used.<ref name=NEAR>
After they exited the pipe, the neutrinos went through a 1-kiloton [[water]] [[Cherenkov detector|Cherenkov]] [[neutrino detector]] ("near detector") located at about 300&nbsp;m from the aluminium target to determine the [[Accelerator neutrino|neutrino beam]] characteristics. This 1-kiloton "near detector" was a scaled-down version of the 50-kiloton [[Super-Kamiokande]] "far detector" located at the [[Kamioka Observatory]], which allowed scientists to eliminate certain systematic uncertainties that would be present if two different detector types were used.<ref name=NEAR>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|author=
|date=19 June 1999
|date=19 June 1999
|title=K2K: Near Detector
|title=K2K: Near Detector
|url=http://k2k.physics.sunysb.edu/k2k/near_detector.shtml
|url=http://k2k.physics.sunysb.edu/k2k/near_detector.shtml
|publisher=[http://nngroup.physics.sunysb.edu/nngroup/ Stony Brook Super-Kamiokande/K2K group]
|publisher=[Stony Brook Super-Kamiokande/K2K group]
|accessdate=2010-09-03
|access-date=2010-09-03
}}</ref> This dual-detector configuration allowed the comparison of the neutrino beam at the near detector with the neutrino beam at the far detector to determine if neutrinos had oscillated or not.<ref name="K2K intro-2">
}}</ref> This dual-detector configuration allowed the comparison of the neutrino beam at the near detector with the neutrino beam at the far detector to determine if neutrinos had oscillated or not.<ref name="K2K intro-2">
{{cite web
{{cite web
|author=
|date=20 June 1999
|date=20 June 1999
|title=K2K: Introduction
|title=K2K: Introduction
|url=http://k2k.physics.sunysb.edu/k2k/intro.shtml
|url=http://k2k.physics.sunysb.edu/k2k/intro.shtml
|publisher=[http://nngroup.physics.sunysb.edu/nngroup/ Stony Brook Super-Kamiokande/K2K group]
|publisher=[Stony Brook Super-Kamiokande/K2K group]
|accessdate=2010-09-03
|access-date=2010-09-03
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


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The K2K collaboration consisted of roughly 130 physicists from 27 universities and research institutes from all over the world, listed below.<ref>
The K2K collaboration consisted of roughly 130 physicists from 27 universities and research institutes from all over the world, listed below.<ref>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|author=
|date=20 January 2004
|date=20 January 2004
|title=K2K Member Institutes
|title=K2K Member Institutes
|url=http://neutrino.kek.jp/member.html
|url=http://neutrino.kek.jp/member.html
|publisher=[[KEK|High Energy Accelerator Research Organization]]
|publisher=[[KEK|High Energy Accelerator Research Organization]]
|accessdate=2010-09-03
|access-date=2010-09-03
}}</ref> The full list of scientists and their countries of origin is available on the [http://neutrino.kek.jp/member.html K2K website].
}}</ref> The full list of scientists and their countries of origin is available on the [http://neutrino.kek.jp/member.html K2K website].
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
{{columns-list|2|
*[[Boston University]]
*[[Boston University]]
*[[Chonnam National University]]
*[[Chonnam National University]]
*[[CEA Saclay|Commissariat à l'énergie atomique de Saclay]] (DSM-DAPNIA)
*[[CEA Saclay]] (DSM-DAPNIA)
*[[Dongshin University]]
*[[Dongshin University]]
*[[KEK|High Energy Accelerator Research Organization]]
*[[KEK|High Energy Accelerator Research Organization]]
Line 80: Line 79:
*[[Tokyo University of Science]]
*[[Tokyo University of Science]]
*[[Tohoku University]]
*[[Tohoku University]]
*[[University of Barcelona]]
*[[Autonomous University of Barcelona]]/[[IFAE]]
*[[University of California, Irvine]]
*[[University of California, Irvine]]
*[[University of Geneva]]
*[[University of Geneva]]
*[[University of Hawaii]]
*[[University of Hawaii]]
*[[University of Tokyo]]
*[[University of Tokyo]]
*[[University of Washington]]
*[[University of Valencia]]
*[[University of Valencia]]
*[[University of Warsaw]]
*[[University of Warsaw]]
*[[University of Washington]]
}}
{{div col end}}


==Results==
==Results==


The final K2K results found that at 99.9985% confidence (4.3&nbsp;[[standard deviation|&sigma;]]) there had been a disappearance of muon neutrinos. Fitting the data under the oscillation hypothesis, the [[curve fitting|best fit]] for the square of the mass difference between muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos was (Δ''m'')<sup>2</sup>&nbsp;=&nbsp;{{val|2.8|e=-3|u=eV<sup>2</sup>}}.<ref name="K2K results">
The final K2K results found that at 99.9985% confidence (4.3&nbsp;[[standard deviation|σ]]) there had been a disappearance of muon neutrinos. Fitting the data under the oscillation hypothesis, the [[curve fitting|best fit]] for the square of the mass difference between muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos was Δ''m''<sup>2</sup>&nbsp;=&nbsp;{{val|2.8|e=-3|u=eV<sup>2</sup>}}.<ref name="K2K results">
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|author = M. H. Ahn ''et al''. (K2K Collaboration)
|author = M. H. Ahn
|collaboration=[[K2K experiment#Collaboration|K2K Collaboration]]
|year = 2006
|year = 2006
|title = Measurement of Neutrino Oscillation by the K2K Experiment
|title = Measurement of Neutrino Oscillation by the K2K Experiment
Line 100: Line 100:
|volume = 74|pages = 072003
|volume = 74|pages = 072003
|doi = 10.1103/PhysRevD.74.072003
|doi = 10.1103/PhysRevD.74.072003
|id =
|arxiv=hep-ex/0606032
|arxiv=hep-ex/0606032
|bibcode = 2006PhRvD..74g2003A
|issue = 7 |s2cid=22053653
}}</ref> This result is in good agreement with the previous [[Super-Kamiokande]] result,<ref>
}}</ref> This result is in good agreement with the previous [[Super-Kamiokande]] result,<ref>
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|author=Y. Fukuda ''et al''. ([[Super-Kamiokande|Super-K Collaboration]])
|author=Y. Fukuda
|collaboration=[[Super-Kamiokande|Super-K Collaboration]]
|year=1998
|date=1998
|title=Measurements of the Solar Neutrino Flux from Super-Kamiokande's First 300 Days
|title=Measurements of the Solar Neutrino Flux from Super-Kamiokande's First 300 Days
|journal=[[Physical Review Letters]]
|journal=[[Physical Review Letters]]
|volume=81 |pages=1158
|volume=81 |pages=1158–1162
|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.1158
|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.1158
|bibcode=1998PhRvL..81.1158F
|bibcode=1998PhRvL..81.1158F
|arxiv = hep-ex/9805021
}} and erratum {{cite journal
|issue=6 |s2cid=14217731
}} and erratum {{cite journal
|author=<!--No need for them-->
|author=<!--No need for them-->
|year=1998
|date=1998
|title=Erratum: Measurements of the Solar Neutrino Flux from Super-Kamiokande's First 300 Days
|title=<!--No need for it-->
|journal=[[Physical Review Letters]]
|journal=[[Physical Review Letters]]
|volume=81 |pages=4279
|volume=81 |pages=4279
|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.4279
|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.4279
|bibcode=1998PhRvL..81.4279F
|bibcode=1998PhRvL..81.4279F
|issue=19
}}</ref> and the later [[MINOS]] result.<ref>
|doi-access=free
}}</ref> and the later [[MINOS]] result.<ref>
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|author=D.G. Michael ''et al''. ([[MINOS|MINOS Collaboration]])
|author=D.G. Michael
|collaboration=[[MINOS|MINOS Collaboration]]
|year=2006
|year=2006
|title=Observation of muon neutrino disappearance with the MINOS detectors in the NuMI neutrino beam
|title=Observation of muon neutrino disappearance with the MINOS detectors in the NuMI neutrino beam
Line 127: Line 134:
|volume=97 |pages=191801
|volume=97 |pages=191801
|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.191801
|doi=10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.191801
|id=
|pmid=17155614
|pmid=17155614
|arxiv=hep-ex/0607088
|arxiv=hep-ex/0607088
|bibcode=2006PhRvL..97s1801M
|bibcode=2006PhRvL..97s1801M
|issue=19
}}</ref>
|s2cid=119458915
}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 137: Line 145:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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*[http://neutrino.kek.jp/publications/ K2K publications]
*[http://neutrino.kek.jp/publications/ K2K publications]


{{Breakthrough Prize laureates}}
{{neutrino detectors}}
{{neutrino detectors}}



Latest revision as of 14:40, 12 February 2024

The K2K experiment (KEK to Kamioka) was a neutrino experiment that ran from June 1999 to November 2004. It used muon neutrinos from a well-controlled and well-understood beam to verify the oscillations previously observed by Super-Kamiokande using atmospheric neutrinos. This was the first positive measurement of neutrino oscillations in which both the source and detector were fully under experimenters' control.[1][2] Previous experiments relied on neutrinos from the Sun or from cosmic sources. The experiment found oscillation parameters which were consistent with those measured by Super-Kamiokande.

Experimental design

[edit]

K2K is a neutrino experiment which directed a beam of muon neutrinos (
ν
μ
) from the 12 GeV proton synchrotron at the KEK, located in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, to the Kamioka Observatory, located in Kamioka, Gifu, about 250 km away.[3] The muon neutrinos travelled through Earth, which allowed them to oscillate (change) into other flavours of neutrinos, namely into electron neutrinos (
ν
e
) and tau neutrinos (
ν
τ
). K2K however, focused only on
ν
μ

ν
τ
oscillations.[4]

The proton beam from the synchrotron was directed onto an aluminium target, and the resulting collisions produced a copious amount of pions. These pions were then focused into a 200 m decay pipe, where they would decay into muons and muon neutrinos.[3] The muons were stopped at the end of the pipe, leaving a beam of muon neutrinos. The exact composition of the beam contained over 97% muon neutrinos, with the other 3% being made of electron neutrinos (
ν
e
), electron antineutrinos (
ν
e
) and muon antineutrinos (
ν
μ
).[4]

After they exited the pipe, the neutrinos went through a 1-kiloton water Cherenkov neutrino detector ("near detector") located at about 300 m from the aluminium target to determine the neutrino beam characteristics. This 1-kiloton "near detector" was a scaled-down version of the 50-kiloton Super-Kamiokande "far detector" located at the Kamioka Observatory, which allowed scientists to eliminate certain systematic uncertainties that would be present if two different detector types were used.[5] This dual-detector configuration allowed the comparison of the neutrino beam at the near detector with the neutrino beam at the far detector to determine if neutrinos had oscillated or not.[6]

Collaboration

[edit]

The K2K collaboration consisted of roughly 130 physicists from 27 universities and research institutes from all over the world, listed below.[7] The full list of scientists and their countries of origin is available on the K2K website.

Results

[edit]

The final K2K results found that at 99.9985% confidence (4.3 σ) there had been a disappearance of muon neutrinos. Fitting the data under the oscillation hypothesis, the best fit for the square of the mass difference between muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos was Δm2 = 2.8×10−3 eV2.[4] This result is in good agreement with the previous Super-Kamiokande result,[8] and the later MINOS result.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Synthetic neutrinos appear to disappear". CERN Courier. 40 (7). 18 August 2000.
  2. ^ N. Nosengo (2006). "Neutrinos make a splash in Italy". Nature. 443 (7108): 126. Bibcode:2006Natur.443..126N. doi:10.1038/443126a. PMID 16971911.
  3. ^ a b "Long Baseline neutrino oscillation experiment, from KEK to Kamioka (K2K)". High Energy Accelerator Research Organization. 13 June 2002. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  4. ^ a b c M. H. Ahn; et al. (K2K Collaboration) (2006). "Measurement of Neutrino Oscillation by the K2K Experiment". Physical Review D. 74 (7): 072003. arXiv:hep-ex/0606032. Bibcode:2006PhRvD..74g2003A. doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.74.072003. S2CID 22053653.
  5. ^ "K2K: Near Detector". [Stony Brook Super-Kamiokande/K2K group]. 19 June 1999. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  6. ^ "K2K: Introduction". [Stony Brook Super-Kamiokande/K2K group]. 20 June 1999. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  7. ^ "K2K Member Institutes". High Energy Accelerator Research Organization. 20 January 2004. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  8. ^ Y. Fukuda; et al. (Super-K Collaboration) (1998). "Measurements of the Solar Neutrino Flux from Super-Kamiokande's First 300 Days". Physical Review Letters. 81 (6): 1158–1162. arXiv:hep-ex/9805021. Bibcode:1998PhRvL..81.1158F. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.1158. S2CID 14217731. and erratum "Erratum: Measurements of the Solar Neutrino Flux from Super-Kamiokande's First 300 Days". Physical Review Letters. 81 (19): 4279. 1998. Bibcode:1998PhRvL..81.4279F. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.4279.
  9. ^ D.G. Michael; et al. (MINOS Collaboration) (2006). "Observation of muon neutrino disappearance with the MINOS detectors in the NuMI neutrino beam". Physical Review Letters. 97 (19): 191801. arXiv:hep-ex/0607088. Bibcode:2006PhRvL..97s1801M. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.191801. PMID 17155614. S2CID 119458915.
[edit]