The LSU-Argonne conversion electron spectrometer: A new detector for the X-Array and SATURN decay station

Lopez-Caceres, S.; Marley, S. T.; Carpenter, M. P.; Savard, G.; Kondev, F. G.; Copp, P.; Reviol, W.; Müller-Gatermann, C.; Seweryniak, D.; Clark, J. A.; Santiago-Gonzalez, D.; Morgan, G. E.; Mitchell, A. J.; Wilson, G. L.; Smith, M. L.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2024.169228

DOE OSTI · 2356823

The LSU-Argonne conversion electron spectrometer: A new detector for the X-Array and SATURN decay station

Lopez-Caceres, S.·Marley, S. T.·Carpenter, M. P.·Savard, G.·Kondev, F. G.·Copp, P.·Reviol, W.·Müller-Gatermann, C.·Seweryniak, D.·Clark, J. A.·Santiago-Gonzalez, D.·Morgan, G. E.·Mitchell, A. J.·Wilson, G. L.·Smith, M. L.

View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

In this study, a new conversion electron detector has been commissioned at the ATLAS/ CARIBU facility at Argonne National Laboratory. The LSU-Argonne Conversion Electron Spectrometer (LACES) is a LN 2 -cooled Si(Li) detector system designed to be incorporated into a decay station that comprises the dedicated HPGe clover array with a box geometry (X -Array) and the Scintillator and Tape Using Radioactive Nuclei (SATURN) device. This integration enables simultaneous measurements of conversion electrons and gamma-rays in decay experiments, yielding novel information on transition multipolarities, electric monopole transitions, and isomeric states that decay mostly via conversion electrons. A measurement of the energy resolution of LACES yielded 2.3-keV FWHM at 975 keV for electrons and 1.3-keV FWHM at 75 keV for X-rays. A detailed study of the absolute detection efficiency (at 5 mm from the source) was performed, where this quantity was determined experimentally in the range of electron transition energies between 25.5 keV and 1047.8 keV and subsequently simulated using the GEANT4 code. Measurement and simulations are found to be in excellent agreement. A precise characterization, for this type of detector system, of the absolute detection efficiency for such a wide energy range is reported for the first time.

Explore related subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Decay station Electric monopole Electron spectrometer Internal conversion electrons Lithium-drifted silicon detectors

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Lopez-Caceres, S., Marley, S. T., Carpenter, M. P., Savard, G., Kondev, F. G., Copp, P., Reviol, W., Müller-Gatermann, C., Seweryniak, D., Clark, J. A., Santiago-Gonzalez, D., Morgan, G. E., Mitchell, A. J., Wilson, G. L., Smith, M. L.. 2024-03-04. The LSU-Argonne conversion electron spectrometer: A new detector for the X-Array and SATURN decay station. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.169228

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 ↗