DUNE Reconstruction Software and Distributed Computing Project: Stage 2

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is the flagship of the future US particle physics programme and forms a major part of the UK strategy for the next generation of neutrino experiments.

Currently in its construction phase, DUNE will consist of a 1.2 MW wide-band neutrino beam generated by the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility at Fermilab, and a 40 kt fiducial mass liquid-argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC) installed 1300 km away at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota.

Once operational, DUNE will perform precision measurements of neutrino oscillation physics and search for important phenomena such as nucleon decays and galactic supernova neutrino bursts. The UK is playing a leading role in the DUNE construction phase and has been funded to deliver several key components.

This project focuses on the essential reconstruction software and distributed computing that will be required to commission the DUNE detectors and deliver its precision physics programme.

Over the next 4.5-years leading up to the start of data-taking, the UK groups will develop advanced pattern recognition algorithms for interpreting LArTPC data, harnessing the UK-led Pandora suite of particle-flow reconstruction software which represents the state of the art in DUNE. A complete set of reconstruction workflows will be delivered, capable of exploiting the full spectrum of DUNE physics.

The UK will play a key major in the international DUNE computing project, delivering key pieces of software for its distributed computing system, and supporting the global management and movement of its data. The production computing system will be validated at scale via a series of data challenges.

This project will capitalise on established UK responsibilities and scientific leadership in DUNE and create a strong platform through which the UK can be a key player in its future exploitation and physics.