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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Rocks, water, and noble liquids: Unfolding the flavor contents of supernova neutrinos

Measuring core-collapse supernova neutrinos, both from individual supernovae within the Milky Way and from past core collapses throughout the Universe (the diffuse supernova neutrino background, or DSNB), is one of the main goals of current and next generation neutrino experiments. Detecting the heavy-lepton flavor (muon and tau types, collectively v x ) component of the flux is particularly challenging due to small statistics and large backgrounds. Further, while the next galactic neutrino burst will be observed in a plethora of neutrino channels, allowing us to measure a small number of v x events, only upper limits are anticipated for the diffuse v x flux even after decades of data taking with conventional detectors. However, paleo detectors could measure the time-integrated flux of neutrinos from galactic core-collapse supernovae via flavor-blind neutral current interactions. In this work, we show how combining a measurement of the average galactic core-collapse supernova flux with paleo detectors and measurements of the DSNB electron-type neutrino fluxes with the next-generation water Cherenkov detector Hyper-Kamiokande and the liquid noble gas detector DUNE will allow to determine the mean supernova vx flux parameters with precision of order ten percent. Realizing this potential requires both the cosmic supernova rate out to z~1 and the integrated Galactic supernova rate over the last ~1 Gyr to be established at the ~10% level.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Next Generation Noble Liquid Detectors

The research program here combines Generic and Directed R\&D for Liquid Noble Gas detectors for neutrino physics and dark matter. In neutrino physics and dark matter research, we are addressing some of the most fundamental questions in particle physics today by studying these tiny particles in the electron family. To study them, detectors must be large, high precision, and ideally have the ability to collect detailed information from both charge and light from neutrino and dark matter interactions. Precision detection combined with large scales can be challenging. Liquid Argon detectors mitigate some of these challenges given the nature of its interaction medium and it’s relatively inexpensive cost per ton. Significant progress has been made in the last 15 years in developing these kinds of detectors to be built and operated at large scales. However there are still challenges and new ideas in moving these detectors from ton scale to kiloton scale. To be able to get the most out of these kinds of detectors directed questions with respect to specific components running and colleting data in the detectors must be understood. As well, new ideas on how to best combine charge and light measurements may lead to new ways to learn new things with these detectors. Experimental test stands to conduct this work, as is done in this proposal, to accomplish both of these goals are critical to address both of these questions. In the test stand enabled under this grant at Yale University’s Wright lab, new developments in efficient small scale setups were developed, instrumentation developed for running and future experiments (the SBND experiment at Fermilab at present, the DUNE experiment in the future) were and will be tested, and new ideas for charge and light determination for new measurements are under study. The long term impact of this work in neutrino physcis is both for the short and long baseline programs originating at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. At long baselines, the US flagship DUNE experiment will measure neutrino properties through neutrino oscillations using a beam originating at Fermilab and a massive LArTPC detector sited about a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. Studies here on the high voltage for thes detectors, and ongoing work on charge and light production and collection in the TPC are relevant for the design and data taking of this and other LArTPC detectors to enable them to best measure the neutrinos created at Fermilab that then pass through the detector in South Dakota. What we learn in these detectors may ultimately change the course of how we understand neutrino’s impact in the early universe. What we learn about how to improve this detection technology and develop new ideas in Lar detectors in general may impact both future neutrino experiments and dark matter experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Observation of radon mitigation in MicroBooNE by a liquid argon filtration system

We report the MicroBooNE liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) maintains a high level of liquid argon purity through the use of a filtration system that removes electronegative contaminants in continuously-circulated liquid, recondensed boil off, and externally supplied argon gas. We use the MicroBooNE LArTPC to reconstruct MeV-scale radiological decays. Using this technique we measure the liquid argon filtration system's efficacy at removing radon. This is studied by placing a 500 kBq 222 Rn source upstream of the filters and searching for a time-dependent increase in the number of radiological decays in the LArTPC. In the context of two models for radon mitigation via a liquid argon filtration system, a slowing mechanism and a trapping mechanism, MicroBooNE data supports a radon reduction factor of greater than 97% or 99.999%, respectively. Furthermore, a radiological survey of the filters found that the copper-based filter material was the primary medium that removed the 222 Rn. This is the first observation of radon mitigation in liquid argon with a large-scale copper-based filter and could offer a radon mitigation solution for future large LArTPCs.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

SCGSR Final Report

Dual phase noble liquid time projection chambers (TPCs) have an unprecedented sensitivity towards dark matter searches and neutrinos, owing to their ability to detect single electrons. When a particle deposits energy into one of these detectors, electrons are released and drifted into a gaseous region of high electric field. In the gas, the electrons are accelerated to produce extra light into what is called an S2 pulse. This light is far easier to detect than the current induced from a single electron. The two widely used elements for noble liquid detectors are Xe and Ar. Xe has a larger chance of being hit by neutrinos or dark matter, but ends with a lower (i.e. harder to detect) energy when struck. However, Ar light is hard to reflect and detect due to its short wavelength which is absorbed by most materials. While one may use TPB to re-emit this light at a longer wavelength, spatial variations of TPB thickness can smear the amount of re-emitted light, and thus cause a poor S2 energy resolution and spatial resolution. Furthermore, a single electron pulse in Ar is spread over a much longer time than one in Xe, which makes it harder to identify single electrons in Ar. The goal of Xe doping is to combine the best aspects of Ar with the best aspects of Xe. More specifically, this means a detector with a larger yield of photons and electrons produced per energy deposition, an ability to collect more of the light given by those signals, and a narrower pulse from the electron signal. During this project, we developed and operated a detector that can overcome the thermodynamic challenges of Xe doping – namely, preventing Xe from freezing. In the first experimental run during this award period, we found that we can achieve at least 5% of Xe in LAr, and measure the Xe concentration in the gas. In the second run, we installed our detector and saw the first S2 pulses in a dual phase Xe doped LAr TPC. With the data we took, we quantified the effect of Xe doping on the detectability of wavelength-shifted light produced in a Xe doped Ar mixture, as well as the single electron pulse shape. While the Ar light has successfully been wavelength shifted, we learned that much to our surprise, Xe doping actually makes the S2 pulse wider before it makes it narrower.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

SiPM-matrix readout of two-phase argon detectors using electroluminescence in the visible and near infrared range

Proportional electroluminescence (EL) in noble gases is used in two-phase detectors for dark matter searches to record (in the gas phase) the ionization signal induced by particle scattering in the liquid phase. The “standard” EL mechanism is considered to be due to noble gas excimer emission in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). In addition, there are two alternative mechanisms, producing light in the visible and near infrared (NIR) ranges. The first is due to bremsstrahlung of electrons scattered on neutral atoms (“neutral bremsstrahlung”, NBrS). The second, responsible for electron avalanche scintillation in the NIR at higher electric fields, is due to transitions between excited atomic states. In this work, we have for the first time demonstrated two alternative techniques of the optical readout of two-phase argon detectors, in the visible and NIR range, using a silicon photomultiplier matrix and electroluminescence due to either neutral bremsstrahlung or avalanche scintillation. The amplitude yield and position resolution were measured for these readout techniques, which allowed to assess the detection threshold for electron and nuclear recoils in two-phase argon detectors for dark matter searches. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first practical application of the NBrS effect in detection science.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Investigation of background electron emission in the LUX detector

Dual-phase xenon detectors, as currently used in direct detection dark matter experiments, have observed elevated rates of signals from electron emission processes in the low energy region. While this background negatively impacts detector performance in various ways, its origins have only been partially studied. In this paper, we report a systematic investigation of the electron pathologies observed in the LUX dark matter experiment. We characterize different electron populations based on their emission intensities and their correlations with preceding energy depositions in the detector. By studying these electron backgrounds under different experimental conditions, we identified the possible mechanisms that may contribute to the electron emission. We report the observed electron event rate in LUX after background rejection, and discuss how such backgrounds can be further mitigated in ongoing and future xenon-based dark matter experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Characterization of the scintillation time response of liquid argon detectors for dark matter search

The scintillation time response of liquid argon has a key role in the discrimination of electronic backgrounds in dark matter search experiments. However, its extraordinary rejection power can be affected by various detector effects such as the delayed light emission of TetraPhenyl Butadiene, the most commonly used wavelength shifter, and the electric drift field applied in Time Projection Chambers. Herein, we characterized the TetraPhenyl Butadiene delayed response and the dependence of the pulse shape discrimination on the electric field, exploiting the data acquired with the ARIS, a small-scale single-phase liquid argon detector exposed to monochromatic neutron and gamma sources at the ALTO facility of IJC Lab in Orsay.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2026

Gas electroluminescence in a dual phase xenon-doped argon detector

Noble element detectors using argon or xenon as the detection medium are widely used in the searches for rare neutrino and dark matter interactions. Xenon doping in liquid argon can preserve attractive properties of an argon target while enhancing the detectable signals with properties of xenon. Here, in this work, we deployed a dual-phase liquid argon detector with up to 4% xenon doping in the liquid and studied its gas electroluminescence properties as a function of xenon concentration. At ∼2% xenon doping in liquid argon, we measured ∼34 ppm of xenon in the gas and observed ∼2.5 times larger electroluminescence signals using vacuum ultraviolet silicon photomultipliers than those in pure argon. Analysis of signals of different wavelengths confirms that the argon gas electroluminescence process is strongly modified by the addition of xenon. We propose an analytical model to describe the underlying energy transfer mechanism in argon-xenon gas mixtures. Lastly, the implications of this measurement for low-energy ionization signal detection will be discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Emanation and bulk fluorescence in liquid argon from tetraphenyl butadiene wavelength shifting coatings

Here, we study the stability of three types of popularly employed TPB coatings under immersion in liquid argon. TPB emanation from each coating is quantified by fluorescence assay of molecular sieve filter material after a prolonged soak time. Two of the coatings are shown to emanate a detectable concentration of TPB into argon over a 24 hour period, which corresponds to tens of parts per billion in argon by mass. In an independent setup, the dissolved or suspended TPB is shown to produce a wavelength shifting effect in the argon bulk. Interpretations of these results and implications for present and future liquid argon time projection chamber experiments are discussed.

Scintillators, scintillation and light emission pr↗
DOE OSTI2014

Modeling pulse characteristics in Xenon with NEST

In this paper, a comprehensive model for describing the characteristics of pulsed signals, generated by particle interactions in xenon detectors, is presented. An emphasis is laid on two-phase time projection chambers, but the models presented are also applicable to single phase detectors. In order to simulate the pulse shape due to primary scintillation light, the effects of the ratio of singlet and triplet dimer state populations, as well as their corresponding decay times, and the recombination time are incorporated into the model. In a two phase time projection chamber, when simulating the pulse caused by electroluminescence light, the ionization electron mean free path in gas, the drift velocity, singlet and triplet decay times, diffusion constants, and the electron trapping time, have been implemented. Finally, this modeling has been incorporated into a complete software package, which realistically simulates the expected pulse shapes for these types of detectors.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Measurements of electron transport in liquid and gas Xenon using a laser-driven photocathode

Measurements of electron drift properties in liquid and gaseous xenon are reported. The electrons are generated by the photoelectric effect in a semitransparent gold photocathode driven in transmission mode with a pulsed ultraviolet laser. The charges drift and diffuse in a small chamber at various electric fields and a fixed drift distance of 2.0 cm. At an electric field of 0.5 kV/cm, the measured drift velocities and corresponding temperature coefficients respectively are 1.97 ± 0.04 mm/µs and (-0.69 ± 0.05)%/K for liquid xenon, and 1.42 ± 0.03 mm/µs and (+0.11 ± 0.01)%/K for gaseous xenon at 1.5 bar. In addition, we measure longitudinal diffusion coefficients of 25.7±4.6 cm2/s and 149±23 cm2/s, for liquid and gas, respectively. The quantum efficiency of the gold photocathode is studied at the photon energy of 4.73 eV in liquid and gaseous xenon, and vacuum. These charge transport properties and the behavior of photocathodes in a xenon environment are important in designing and calibrating future large scale noble liquid detectors.

Njoya, Oumarou↗
DOE OSTI2018

Increasing the efficiency of photon collection in LArTPCs: the ARAPUCA light trap

The Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) are a choice for the next generation of large neutrino detectors due to their optimal performance in particle tracking and calorimetry. The detection of Argon scintillation light plays a crucial role in the event reconstruction as well as the time reference for non-beam physics such as supernovae neutrino detection and baryon number violation studies. Here in this contribution, we present the current R&D work on the ARAPUCA (Argon R&D Advanced Program at UNICAMP), a light trap device to enhance Ar scintillation light collection and thus the overall performance of LArTPCs. The ARAPUCA working principle is based on a suitable combination of dichroic filters and wavelength shifters to achieve a high efficiency in light collection. We discuss the operational principles, the last results of laboratory tests and the application of the ARAPUCA as the alternative photon detection system in the protoDUNE detector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Neutrino identification with scintillation light in MicroBooNE

MicroBooNE is a neutrino experiment which employs a liquid argon (LAr) time projection chamber (TPC) to record neutrino interactions from Fermilab's neutrino beamlines. The experiment's primary objective is to study low-energy νe interactions from the Booster Neutrino Beamline (BNB). Located on the surface, the detector is affected by a continuous rate of cosmic-rays. This leads to one neutrino interaction for every 104 cosmic rays observed in the TPC, making it difficult to isolate neutrino interactions in the detector using charge alone. MicroBooNE's trigger makes use of prompt scintillation light and plays an essential role in both performing strong background rejection and significantly reducing data-rates. Furthermore, a series of novel techniques relying on scintillation light are used to isolate beam-induced activity. This document briefly presents MicroBooNE's scintillation-light based trigger and novel Flash-Matching pattern recognition techniques for cosmic-rejection. This work serves as the foundation of neutrino analyses in LArTPC detectors and is therefore of interest to the broader short- and long-baseline neutrino programs being launched at Fermilab.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Design and implementation of the new scintillation light detection system of ICARUS T600

ICARUS T600 is the far detector of the Short Baseline Neutrino program at Fermilab (U.S.A.), which foresees three Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers along the Booster Neutrino Beam line to search for LSND-like sterile neutrino signal. The T600 detector underwent a significant overhauling process at CERN, introducing new technological developments while maintaining the already achieved performances. The realization of a new liquid argon scintillation light detection system is a primary task of the detector overhaul. As the detector will be subject to a huge flux of cosmic rays, the light detection system should allow the 3D reconstruction of events contributing to the identification of neutrino interactions in the beam spill gate. The design and implementation of the new scintillation light detection system of ICARUS T600 is described.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Modeling light signals using data from the first pulsed neutron source program at the DUNE vertical drift ColdBox test facility at the CERN Neutrino Platform

In this paper, we present a first quantitative test of detected light signals produced in a pulsed neutron source run in a small vertical drift LArTPC at the CERN Neutrino Platform ColdBox test facility. The ColdBox cryostat, detectors, neutron sources, and particle interactions are modeled and simulated using Fluka. We demonstrate the ability to identify the contribution from neutron interactions using X-ARAPUCA photodetectors, and show first comparisons of data to simulation, which indicate reasonable agreement. A time constant is also fitted from the neutron-beam-off light signal spectrum and found consistent between data and simulation. Several important systematic effects are discussed and serve as guides for future runs at larger LArTPCs.

Detector modelling and simulations I (interaction ↗
DOE OSTI2019

First Operation of a Resistive Shell Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber: A New Approach to Electric-Field Shaping

We present a new technology for the shaping of the electric field in Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) using a carbon-loaded polyimide foil. This technology allows for the minimisation of passive material near the active volume of the TPC and, thus, is capable to reduce background events originating from radioactive decays or scattering on the material itself. Furthermore, the high and continuous electric resistivity of the foil limits the power dissipation per unit area and minimizes the risks of damages in the case of an electric field breakdown. Replacing the conventional field cage with a resistive plastic film structure called “shell” decreases the number of components within the TPC and, therefore, reduces the potential points of failure when operating the detector. A prototype liquid argon (LAr) TPC with such a resistive shell and with a cathode made of the same material was successfully tested for long-term operation with electric field values up to 1 . 6 k V /. The experiment shows that it is feasible to successfully produce and shape the electric field in liquefied noble-gas detectors with this new technology.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Flow and thermal modelling of the argon volume in the DarkSide-20k TPC

The DarkSide-20k dark matter experiment, currently under construction at LNGS, features a dual-phase time projection chamber (TPC) with a ∼ 50 t argon target from an underground well. At this scale, it is crucial to optimise the argon flow pattern for efficient target purification and for fast distribution of internal gaseous calibration sources with lifetimes of the order of hours. To this end, we have performed computational fluid dynamics simulations and heat transfer calculations. The residence time distribution shows that the detector is well-mixed on time-scales of the turnover time (∼ 40 d). Notably, simulations show that despite a two-order-of-magnitude difference between the turnover time and the half-life of 83m Kr of 1.83 h, source atoms have the highest probability to reach the centre of the TPC 13 min after their injection, allowing for a homogeneous distribution before undergoing radioactive decay. We further analyse the thermal aspects of dual-phase operation and define the requirements for the formation of a stable gas pocket on top of the liquid. We find a best-estimate value for the heat transfer rate at the liquid-gas interface of 62 W with an upper limit of 144 W and a minimum gas pocket inlet temperature of 89 K to avoid condensation on the acrylic anode. This study also informs the placement of liquid inlets and outlets in the TPC. The presented techniques are widely applicable to other large-scale, noble-liquid detectors.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗