SoLid

The SoLid experiment aims to address one of the most outstanding issue in neutrino physics. Recent experimental neutrino oscillation results suggest the existence of a new neutrino state. This possible new state, with a mass of around 1 eV, is called sterile because of its vanishing weak interaction quantum numbers. Its discovery would modify in depth our current understanding of the elementary interactions. Electron anti-neutrinos produced at nuclear reactors can help to shed light on this new state. The electron-to-sterile antineutrino oscillation induces a modification of the flux of the anti-neutrinos close to the reactor core (6-10 m).

SoLid uses a novel detector technology to search for these oscillations. Furthermore, the measurement of the anti-neutrino flux from 235U at short distance from the production will provide an essential reference for predictions used in current and future neutrino experiments.

Mainz has only recently joined the SoLid collaboration an there might be opportunities for bachelor or masters thesis.