Search for proton decay and supernova neutrino bursts with a lunar base neutron detector

Abstract

We describe the current status of the search for proton decay on Earth, emphasizing the decay mode P → K+ν and discuss the possibility of detecting this mode with a simple detector on a lunar base station. The same detector could be used to search for neutrino bursts from distant supernova using the neutral current signature νμ, τ+N → n+νx by detecting the produced neutrons. The key advantage of the lunar experiment is the low neutrino flux and possible low radioactive background.