GiBUU simulations show proton decay detection efficiency in water Cherenkov detectors matches previous estimates, while Fermi momentum choice significantly affects atmospheric neutrino background rates and is the leading systematic.
Search for Proton Decay via p -> e^+ pi^0 and p -> mu^+ pi^0 in a Large Water Cherenkov Detector
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abstract
We have searched for proton decays via p -> e^+ pi^0 and p -> mu^+ pi^0 using data from a 91.7 kiloton year exposure of Super-Kamiokande-I and a 49.2 kiloton year exposure of Super-Kamiokande-II. No candidate events were observed with expected backgrounds induced by atmospheric neutrinos of 0.3 events for each decay mode. From these results, we set lower limits on the partial lifetime of 8.2$\times10^{33}$ and 6.6$\times10^{33}$ years at 90% confidence level for p -> e^+ pi^0 and p -> mu^+ pi^0 modes, respectively.
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Understanding the impact of nuclear effects on proton decay searches with the GiBUU model
GiBUU simulations show proton decay detection efficiency in water Cherenkov detectors matches previous estimates, while Fermi momentum choice significantly affects atmospheric neutrino background rates and is the leading systematic.