Search for sterile neutrinos with a radioactive source at Daya Bay

Abstract

The far site detector complex of the Daya Bay reactor experiment is proposed as a location to search for sterile neutrinos with ≥eV mass. Antineutrinos from a 500 kCi ^(144)Ce-^(144)Pr β-decay source (ΔQ=2.996  MeV) would be detected by four identical 20-ton antineutrino targets. The site layout allows flexible source placement; several specific source locations are discussed. In one year, the 3+1 sterile neutrino hypothesis can be tested at essentially the full suggested range of the parameters Δm^2_(new) and sin⁡^22θ_(new) (90% C.L.). The backgrounds from six nuclear reactors at ≥1.6  km distance are shown to be manageable. Advantages of performing the experiment at the Daya Bay far site are described.

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