Coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering detection with a CsI[Na] scintillator at the SNS spallation source

2014/07/31 by J. I. Collar, N. E. Fields, N.E. Fields +8
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Detector #Neutrino #Neutrino Physics Research #Neutrino detector #Neutrino oscillation #Neutron #Nuclear physics #Optics #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Physics #Scattering #Scintillator #Spallation #Spallation Neutron Source #Supernova #astro-ph.IM #hep-ex #hep-ph #nucl-ex #physics.ins-det

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.nima.2014.11.037

published as Nucl. Instr. Meth. A773 (2014) 56 · v2: minor corrections

arxiv created 2014/08/20 · openalex publication_date 2014/11/20 · arxiv updated 2014/12/04 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We study the possibility of using CsI[Na] scintillators as an advantageous target for the detection of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CENNS), using the neutrino emissions from the SNS spallation source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The response of this material to low-energy nuclear recoils like those expected from this process is characterized. Backgrounds are studied using a 2 kg low-background prototype crystal in a dedicated radiation shield. The conclusion is that a planned 14 kg detector should measure approximately 550 CENNS events per year above a demonstrated ∼7 keVnr low-energy threshold, with a signal-to-background ratio sufficient for a first measurement of the CENNS cross-section. The cross-section for the ²⁰⁸Pb(ν_e,e^-)²⁰⁸Bi reaction, of interest for future supernova neutrino detection, can be simultaneously obtained.

Citations

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