A prototype neutron veto for dark matter detectors

作者：Westerdale S^*; Shields E; Calaprice F

来源：Astroparticle Physics, 2016, 79: 10-22.

DOI：10.1016/j.astropartphys.2016.01.005

• Direct-detection dark matter search
• Low-background techniques
• Neutron veto
• Boron-loaded liquid scintillator
• Neutron detection

Neutrons are a particularly dangerous background for direct WIMP dark matter searches; their nuclear recoils with the target nuclei are often indistinguishable from nuclear recoils produced by WIMP-nuclear collisions. In this study, we explore the concept of a liquid scintillator neutron veto detector that would allow direct dark matter detectors to potentially reject neutrons with greater than 99% efficiency. Here we outline the construction and testing of a small prototype detector and the potential implications of this technology for future dark matter detectors.

• 出版日期2016-6