Description
Hyper-Kamiokande is a next-generation underground water Cherenkov detector that will probe leptonic CP violation, the neutrino mass ordering, proton decay, and astrophysical neutrinos. Achieving this physics reach requires precise knowledge of the detector's photosensor response, since the sensitivity to CP violation and oscillation parameters rests on accurate reconstruction of Cherenkov light. We present the overall status of the project and the Australian contributions to two distinct parts of the detector. We discuss the characterization of the large-area photomultipliers (PMTs) that will instrument the inner detector, describing the precalibration programme established to measure their single-photoelectron response, timing, gain, and spatial uniformity at production scale. We also describe the Australian contribution to the outer detector, which will surround the inner volume and tag entering and exiting particles to veto cosmic-ray backgrounds and help define the fiducial volume. We present photosensor characterisation results obtained to date and discuss how these feed into the detector response model and the overall calibration strategy. The implications for Hyper-Kamiokande's physics sensitivity and the role of the Australian groups in these efforts are outlined.
| I am the presenting author | Yes |
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