Muon capture on light isotopes in Double Chooz

Abstract

Abstract Using the Double Chooz reactor neutrino detector, we have measured the products of µ − capture on 12C, 13C, 14N and 16O. Over a period of 490 days, we collected 2.3 × 106 stopping cosmic µ −, of which 1.8 × 105 captured on these nuclei in the inner detector. The resulting isotopes were tagged using prompt neutron emission (when applicable), the subsequent beta decays, and, in some cases, β-delayed neutrons. Production of these βn isotopes, primarily 9Li, which are ν ¯ e backgrounds, was found at a significance of 5.5σ. The probability of 9Li production per capture on natC is (2.4 ± 0.9(stat) ± 0.1(syst)) × 10−4. We have made the most precise measurement of the rate of 12C(µ −, ν)12B to date, 6.57 − 0.21 + 0.11 × 10 3   s − 1 ,   or   ( 17.35 − 0.59 + 0.35 ) % of nuclear captures. By tagging excited states emitting gammas, the ground state transition rate to 12B is found to be 5.68 − 0.23 + 0.14 × 10 3   s − 1 .