ICARUS at the Fermilab Short-Baseline Neutrino program: initial operation

Area of Science:

• Particle Physics
• Neutrino Physics
• Experimental Physics

Background:

• The ICARUS collaboration previously operated the T600 detector at LNGS, constraining neutrino oscillation parameters.
• The T600 detector underwent significant overhaul and relocation to Fermilab for new physics investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To commission the ICARUS T600 detector at Fermilab using Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) and Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beams.
• To prepare for a search for sterile neutrinos and measurements of neutrino cross-sections.
• To validate event selection, reconstruction, and analysis algorithms with real data.

Main Methods:

• Detector cool down, liquid argon filling, and recirculation for cryogenic commissioning.
• Collection and analysis of neutrino events from BNB and NuMI off-axis beams.
• Performance evaluation of ICARUS subsystems and data analysis capabilities.

Main Results:

• Successful completion of cryogenic commissioning in June 2022.
• Demonstrated capability in selecting and reconstructing neutrino events from BNB and NuMI beams.
• Preliminary technical results highlight subsystem performance and data analysis readiness.

Conclusions:

• The ICARUS T600 detector is ready for its physics program at Fermilab.
• The detector's performance and analysis tools are validated, paving the way for future scientific goals.
• The experiment is poised to contribute to sterile neutrino searches and cross-section measurements.