Establish the prospective reach of neutrino detection in the CMS HGCAL

Establish the detailed prospective reach of using the upgraded CMS high-granularity calorimeter as an active target for neutrino interactions at the HL-LHC, including the potential improvement from sophisticated analysis techniques such as machine learning.

Background

The paper discusses the possibility of using the upgraded CMS high-granularity calorimeter as a neutrino target. Its dense material provides an effective interaction target, while its fine spatial and timing resolution could identify displaced signatures from neutrino interactions.

A preliminary study based on simple selection cuts predicts only about four events and a potential signal-to-background sensitivity of approximately S/√B = 2 over the full HL-LHC luminosity. The paper identifies the lack of a detailed prospective reach, particularly with more advanced analysis methods, as unresolved.

References

A detailed prospective reach, for example using more sophisticated analysis techniques such as machine learning, has not been established yet.

— Neutrino Experiments at the LHC and the HL-LHC  (2609.00842 - Asawatangtrakuldee et al., 1 Sep 2026) in Section 5.3, Alternative experimental ideas, subsection “Non-forward neutrinos in the LHC central detectors”