Abstract
dc:description.abstractNeutrino physics has entered a precision era in which understanding backgrounds and systematic uncertainties is particularly important. With a precise understanding of neutrino physics, we can better understand neutrino sources. In this work, we demonstrate dependency of single detector oscillation experiments on reactor neutrino flux model. We fit the largest reactor neutrino flux model error, weak magnetism, using data from experiments. We use reactor burn-up simulations in combination with a reactor neutrino flux model to demonstrate the capability of a neutrino detector to measure the power, burn-up, and plutonium content of a nuclear reactor. In particular, North Korean reactors are examined prior to the 1994 nuclear crisis and waste removal detection is examined at the Iranian reactor. The strength of a neutrino detector is that it can acquire data without the need to shut the reactor down. We also simulate tau neutrino interactions to determine backgrounds to muon neutrino and electron neutrino measurements in neutrino factory experiments.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Ph. D.
- Level thesis:degree_level
- doctoral
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Physics
- Department dc:contributor.department
- Physics
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Virginia Tech
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2014
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Christensen, Eric Kurt
- Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
-
- Huber, Patrick
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Soghomonian, Victoria G.
- Link, Jonathan M.
- Sharpe, Eric R.
Subjects
dc:subject × 3Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- In Copyright
- Licence dc:rights.uri
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Dc Identifier Other
- vt_gsexam:3652
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/64864