Engineering Papers⌕ Search
Home/Archive/DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI · 22218169

Low-background tracker development for SuperNEMO

Mott, James·others, and
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The SuperNEMO experiment will search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) with a target sensitivity of T{sub 1/2}(0ν) > 10{sup 26} years, corresponding to an effective neutrino mass of 50-100 meV. At its heart there is a low-background gaseous tracking detector which allows for extremely efficient background rejection and, if 0νββ is observed, may provide important insights into the mechanism via which it may be mediated. Radon inside the tracker, which can mimic rare ββ events, is one of the most dangerous backgrounds for SuperNEMO. To reach the target sensitivity the radon concentration inside the tracking volume must be < 0.15 mBq/m{sup 3}. To reach this challengingly-low level of radon, a considerable program of R and D has been undertaken. This includes automation of the tracker-wiring process, development of a dedicated setup to measure radon diffusion and a 'radon concentration line' which will be able to measure levels of radon in the μBq/m{sup 3} range.

Explore related subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICSAUTOMATIONCONCENTRATION RATIODOUBLE BETA DECAYEFFECTIVE MASSGAS TRACK DETECTORSMILLI EV RANGEMULTIPARTICLE SPECTROMETERSNEUTRINOSPARTICLE IDENTIFICATIONPARTICLE TRACKSRADONSENSITIVITY

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Mott, James, others, and. 2013-08-08. Low-background tracker development for SuperNEMO. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4818097

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related reports

DOE OSTI2026

Performance evaluation of neutron noise analysis in detecting special nuclear materials

Reliable and rapid inspection techniques play a vital role in preventing illicit trafficking of special nuclear materials. Active interrogation systems using neutrons produced by portable, high-flux deuterium-deuterium or deuterium-tritium neutron generators are being actively developed as a secondary scanning tool for this purpose. In this study, a neutron noise analysis-based approach for detecting unshielded and shielded special nuclear materials by using a pulsed deuterium-tritium neutron generator was evaluated. Here, this approach analyzes the fluctuation of neutron counts. Its performance was quantified with regard to time-to-detection to achieve a minimum probability of detection of 99% and a probability of false alarm of less than 1% considering various amounts of special nuclear materials and different shielding configurations. It was demonstrated that this approach could detect 17 uranium slugs in 5 s given a neutron generator yield of 8.1 × 10 7 n/s. These slugs could be detected within a reasonable time frame (200 s) when they were shielded by 10.16 cm of high-density polyethylene. The results obtained using the neutron noise analysis approach were compared with those obtained using the commonly used differential die-away analysis technique, a sensitive technique for detecting the presence of fissile materials by utilizing the prompt fission neutrons produced when the source neutrons from a neutron generator are completely diminished. For example, the time to detect 2 unshielded uranium slugs was 2.1 s when using the differential die-away analysis technique; it increased to 93 s for the neutron noise analysis approach. Although the noise analysis-based approach exhibits an overall performance which is not as good as that of differential die-away, neutron noise provides an alternative method for effective detection of special nuclear materials.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

A proximity-focusing RICH detector for the ePIC Experiment at the EIC

The Electron-Proton/Ion Collider Experiment (ePIC) will be a large, multi-purpose detector to be installed at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) being built at Brookhaven National Laboratory. As robust particle identification (PID) capabilities are essential for fully realizing the EIC science program, ePIC contains several PID subsystems spanning different angular ranges. PID capability in the electron-going endcap is provided by a proximity-focusing Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (pfRICH) designed to deliver at least 3σ separation between pions and kaons for momenta up to 7 GeV/ c . It will also aid with electron-hadron discrimination at low momentum and assist in the determination of the collision time (t 0 ). This contribution will summarize the design of the pfRICH as well as ongoing fabrication and component testing efforts. geant-based performance simulations will also be discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design of a high voltage delivery system for noble liquid time projection chambers

Noble liquid time projection chambers (TPCs) are a leading technology in the detection of ionizing radiation, particularly in applications such as accelerator neutrino physics, dark matter detection, and neutrinoless double beta decay. This work addresses the design considerations for implementing stable high voltage (HV) systems within large noble liquid TPCs, with a focus on the nEXO experiment. Utilizing insights from prior HV research and experimental investigations, we outline factors influencing HV stability and discuss design choices to improve stability and prevent electrical discharges. A novel HV delivery system concept is presented, tailored for the nEXO TPC, which incorporates these design considerations while also meeting the stringent radiopurity requirements of the nEXO neutrinoless double beta decay search. These design considerations and their specific implementation towards a HV delivery system offer guidance to future experiments applying high voltage in noble liquid environments.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗