Laboratório de Partículas Elementares

Neutrino physics with the CONNIE experiment

Last Update: April 8, 2025

At the CONNIE experiment we are studying neutrino interactions with nuclei and searching for physics beyond the Standard Model using silicon Skipper-CCDs.

CONNIE

The Coherent Neutrino-Nucleus Interaction Experiment (CONNIE) is dedicated to the study of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE𝜈NS), a rare process predicted by the Standard Model, which may also reveal signs of new physics. The experiment is operating at the Angra-2 nuclear power plant in Brazil and uses silicon CCD (charge-coupled devices) detectors to measure antineutrino interactions at extremely low ionisation energies. The CONNIE collaboration comprises around 35 members from 6 countries.

The main objectives of the CONNIE experiment are to:

  • Detect the CE𝜈NS process from reactor neutrinos off silicon nuclei,
  • Search for new physics beyond the Standard Model in neutrino interactions, such as new light mediators and millicharged particles,
  • Develop ultra-sensitive detection technologies, Skipper-CCDs, and apply them to low-energy measurements.

CONNIE has undergone several phases of operation according to the sensors in the detector:

  • Engineering run for proof of concept (2014-2015),
  • Run with 12 standard CCDs obtaining the first physics results and reaching 50 eV energy threshold (2016-2020),
  • Run with 2 Skipper-CCDs of low mass, reaching a record low 15 eV threshold (2021-2023),
  • Run with a Multi-Chip-Module of 16 Skipper-CCDs on the same board to increase the mass (from 2024).

Our group is one of the founders of CONNIE and works on all experimental aspects: from the installation and operations of the experiment to its data analysis and interpretation. We are responsible for the installation, commissioning and maintenance of the detector at the nuLab in Angra-2, its continuous monitoring, efficient data taking, data storage and processing. We also lead the physics analyses of the data, focused on looking for neutrino interactions and probing new physics processes. At UFRJ, we are also developing a test bench dedicated to the characterisation of Skipper-CCDs.

For more information on the CONNIE detector, visit the CONNIE experiment wikipedia page (so far in Portuguese) or get in touch.
 

CONNIE results & publications
A list of all the published results that our group directly contributed to.

 

Group members

Researchers:

Carla Bonifazi (UFRJ) – Spokesperson of CONNIE
Irina Nasteva (UFRJ)
Herman Lima (CBPF)
João dos Anjos (CBPF)
Martin Makler (CBPF)
Aldo Rosado (CEFET-Angra)
Franciole Marinho (ITA)
Laura Paulucci (UFABC)

Postgraduate students:

Ana Carolina Oliveira (MSc – CBPF)
Camila Martinez (PhD – UFRJ)
Pedro Zilves (PhD – USP)
Sara Mirthis (MSc – Unicamp)
Uilton Reis (MSc – UFRJ)

Undergraduate students:

Brunno Gomes Silva (UFRJ)
Delfina Perez (UBA)

 

News

 

Conferences & presentations

 

Theses