A study of the feasibility of detecting primordial microscopic black hole remnants with the NOvA far detector

Several papers have argued that microscopic black holes may be stable against complete evaporation and may be a viable dark matter candidate [1–3]. This paper assesses the practicality of detecting these objects using long-baseline neutrino facilities, such as the NuMI Off-Axis νe Appearance (NOvA) experiment and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The origin, stability, properties, and energy loss mechanism of such objects are examined. The signals produced from the detectors should allow for discrimination between these microscopic black holes and other particles traversing the detector. Potential challenges that could arise and next steps are also identified and considered.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado State University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Authors dc:creator

• Wrobel, Megan, author
• Buchanan, Norm, advisor
• Berger, Josh, committee member
• Adams, Henry, committee member

• Hawking radiation
• NOvA experiment
• black holes
• primordial black holes
• microscopic black holes

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25675/3.02591

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mountainscholar.org:10217/238356