Neutrino Detection and Particle Astrophysics
Our Universe is fascinating and mysterious. Through different lenses, we each try to make sense of it all. In our lab, we focus on particle astrophysics, and use (and develop new) experimental techniques to make precision measurements of neutrino properties. Our current focus is on the development of lab-scale liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) to support the Q-Pix consortium's development of pixelated readout technology for neutrino detection.
Q-Pix Consortium
Q-Pix readout technology uses tiny circuit that collects electric charge until it hits a threshold, then resets and records the exact time of that reset. By looking at the time gaps between resets, it can track how much charge was collected and when. With that, it can be used to detect tiny signals from particle tracks, while ignoring background noise. These information allows us to reconstruct the particle tracks and learn more about interactions that happen inside the LArTPC
Learn MoreWe are always looking for interested and motivated students to join our group. No prior experience is necessary. In fact, we encourage students to get involved early. There are plenty of ways you can engage in this research and contribute to these fascinating topics whether you are a first year student, or are looking for a senior thesis project. Through this research, you can gain experience in many areas including electronics development, vacuum systems, computational methods, high voltage systems, lasers and more!
Eunice Beato '23,
Nora Hoch '22,
I-see Jaidee '25,
Talia O'Shea '23,
James Battat
I-see Jaidee '25,
Genevieve Bui '27,
Wenzhao Wei,
James Battat
Piper Migden '28,
Ava Faubus '27
click to learn more about our members!
James Battat
Experimental particle astrophysics including neutrino and dark matter detection; precision tests of gravity with lunar laser ranging.
My experimental work addresses deep open questions in physics such as the origin of matter and the physics of gravity. I'm particularly motivated by opportunities to develop detector technologies that can open new windows of discovery in particle astrophysics.
I collaborate with the Q-Pix consortium to develop a novel 3D tracking readout system for rare-event detection in large-scale detectors. In particular, our goal for Q-Pix is to enhance the sensitivity of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) by providing true 3D tracking and millimeter spatial resolution in the "far detector." The DUNE far detector consists of multiple building-sized underground modules (each 18 x 19 x 66 m3 -- larger than the size of the E-Wing of our Science Center -- and filled with 10 kilotons of cryogenic liquid argon). Despite the enormous size, only a handful of neutrino interactions per day are expected. So the Q-Pix system will sit idle most of the time, but must respond efficiently and accurately when a rare event occurs. The challenge is significant, but the physics payoff is huge -- DUNE's science goals include understanding the physics of how neutrinos oscillate from one flavor to another and how they may play a role in the matter/anti-matter asymmetry in the Universe.
In addition to particle detection, I work with the APOLLO collaboration (Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation) on tests of gravity using the Lunar Laser Ranging technique. We transmit 100-picosecond-long pulses of green laser light from the Apache Point Observatory 3.5m telescope in New Mexico to the moon. This light reflects off of Apollo-era corner cubes on the lunar surface. With our accurate clock and single-photon detectors, we are able to determine the Earth-Moon range with millimeter precision (a part in 1012 of the total distance). These measurements provide some of the most stringent empirical constraints on gravitational physics, including tests of the strong equivalence principle, the time-evolution of Newton's Constant G, the Newtonian 1/r2 force law, and gravitomagnetism.
I teach courses across the physics curriculum, including PHYS 100 (Relativity and Quantum Physics), and Classical Mechanics (PHYS107 and 207). As an experimentalist, I enjoy guiding student exploration in PHYS 210 (Experimental Techniques) and PHYS 310 (Experimental Physics). I try to create learning spaces where students can practice and explore, stumble and rebound, grow and feel proud of their accomplishments.
I find it hard to resist watching World Cup soccer games. I've done a rail slide on skis, but my wife kills me on bump runs. We have named our dogs after a candy bar and a delicious stout. I prefer crepes to pancakes, and used the batter to teach my kids algebra. I made a super-sized Jenga game for which hard-hats are recommended, and am always up for trying out a random DIY project from YouTube.
Wenzhao Wei
Description
Piper Migden
I am a first year student at Wellesley College, and a prospective Physics and Chemistry double major. I am currently researching and designing a black-lit purity monitor system to optimize electronic signal readout. I particularly love the Battat lab due to the variety of projects to work on and topics to research!
I-see Warisa Jaidee
Weekdays:
Weekends: I bake, crochet, and doodle!
Cléo Nicollin
I am a senior in Astrophysics and Computer Science! I have been in the lab since junior year and have loved it so far! I have worked on a multitude of projects but my favorite are the software ones. Currently investigating some ways to improve the existing code.
Purifier
Purity Monitor
Liquid Argon Purifier
Before using LAr in experiments, we need to remove electronegative contaminants like oxygen and water. These contaminants attach themselves to electrons and can affect our result.
To purify LAr, we built a purifier which contains molecular sieves to remove water and active copper to remove oxygen. This purification is essential to maintain long electron lifetimes and high signal quality in experiments. The filter is also regenerable for multiple uses.
Purity Monitor
The purity monitor consists of a field cage that generates a uniform electric field. Electrons are generated at the cathode of the field cage via the photoelectric effect. A series of short ultra-violet (UV) light pulses from a Xenon flash lamp is transmitted through a fiber optic cable to the photocathode positioned at the center of the field cage, stripping electrons from it. The photoelectrons produced then drift upward through LAr from the cathode and are collected at the anode. Wire grids are placed on both ends of the field cage to shield the cathode and anode from induced current. Charge-sensitive amplifiers are connected to each electrode to integrate the current induced by drifting electrons once arrive, allowing us to quantify the amount of charge produced at the cathode and arrived at the anode.
Purity Monitor
Description
Purity Monitor
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