The far site detector complex of the Daya Bay reactor experiment is proposed as a location to search for sterile neutrinos with $\ge \mathrm{eV}$ mass. Antineutrinos from a 500 kCi ${}^{144}\mathrm{Ce}\mathrm{\text{−}}{}^{144}\mathrm{Pr}$ $\beta$-decay source ($\Delta Q=2.996\mathrm{MeV}$) would be detected by four identical 20-ton antineutrino targets. The site layout allows flexible source placement; several specific source locations are discussed. In one year, the $3+1$ sterile neutrino hypothesis can be tested at essentially the full suggested range of the parameters $\Delta m_{\mathrm{new}}^2$ and ${sin}^{2}2{\theta }_{\mathrm{new}}$ (90% C.L.). The backgrounds from six nuclear reactors at $\ge 1.6\mathrm{km}$ distance are shown to be manageable. Advantages of performing the experiment at the Daya Bay far site are described.

• Received 22 January 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.093002