Speaker
Description
The COMET experiment at J-PARC will search for the muon-to-electron conversion process in a muonic aluminium atom without the emission of neutrinos (mu- N -> e- N). Such a transition violates charged lepton flavor conservation and does not occur within the Standard Model framework, making it a powerful probe for physics at energy scales far beyond direct collider reach. The experimental programme targets a level of single-event sensitivity never before attained in searches for this process. The COMET experiment is being realised in a staged approach. The initial stage, COMET Phase-I, is designed for detailed studies of the high-intensity pulsed muon beam, quantitative evaluation of background sources, and an early search for conversion electrons with a sensitivity of O(10^-15). In preparation for Phase-I operation, the complete set of superconducting solenoids has been installed in the experimental hall. To suppress detector hit rates, detailed simulations have been performed to optimize the muon beam line, leading to the design, fabrication, and installation of dedicated muon collimators. A full-chain DAQ system has been commissioned, and cosmic-ray tests of the Cylindrical Drift Chamber are currently in progress. Detector integration design, the development of the cosmic-ray veto counters, and the construction of beam measurement detectors are also actively underway. The COMET Phase-I experiment is planned to start with approximately one-tenth of the full beam intensity, with beam operation foreseen to begin in early 2028. This presentation will report on the current status of the experiment, highlight recent progress toward Phase-I data taking, and outline the prospects toward the full-sensitivity search.
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