Muon Analysis with the Majorana Demonstrator
ORAL
Abstract
The Majorana Demonstrator (MJD) is an array of germanium detectors surrounded by active and passive shielding operating in the Davis Campus on the 4850 ft level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Demonstrator operated between 2015 and March 2021 with detectors enriched in Ge-76 to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay and now operates with natural detectors for background studies. Identification of the prompt cosmic muon background by the detector shielding is an important part of the overall background rejection strategy required by the search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0vBB). An array of scintillating panels surrounds the central detector to detect through-going muons. The four top panels and 12 bottom panels can be combined to form 144 muon hodoscopes that cover a range of incident muon angles. Accounting for the surface topology allows for the measurement of the muon intensity as a function of slant depth, spanning a water-equivalent depth of 4-7 km. The analysis of muon data from 2015-2021 will be presented.
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Presenters
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Franklin Adams
University of South Carolina
Authors
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Franklin Adams
University of South Carolina