Speaker
Hidekazu Kakuno
Description
T2K (Tokai-to-Kamioka) is a second generation long baseline neutrino experiment
utilizing a newly built neutrino source with a MW class high energy proton accelerator
complex (J-PARC neutrino facility), a near neutrino detector (ND280) to characterize
the neutrino beam 280 meters from the source, and Super-Kamiokande as the far detector
at 295 km.
The primary motivation for T2K is the discovery of the nu_mu to nu_e conversion
phenomena and, as a consequence, the finite value of the theta_13 mixing angle.
It will also conduct a precise measurement of theta_23 and
the mass difference of neutrino mass eigenstate. The ultimate
goal for T2K is to establish the lepton flavor mixing structure.
Construction of the J-PARC neutrino facility was completed in March 2009 and
engineering operation of the T2K started as scheduled the following month.
This talk will provide a general introduction to T2K, and
present the current beam commissioning status and
the status of preparations towards the start of the experiment.
