D. Motta

Prototype scintillator cell for an In-based solar neutrino detector

Abstract We describe the work carried out at MPIK to design, model, build and characterize a prototype cell filled with a novel indium-loaded scintillator of interest for real-time low energy solar neutrino spectroscopy. First, light propagation in optical modules was studied with experiments and Monte Carlo simulations. Subsequently a 5 cm × 5 cm × 100 cm prototype detector was set-up and the optical performances of several samples were measured. We first tested a benchmark PXE-based scintillator, which performed an attenuation length of ∼ 4.2 m and a photo-electron yield of ∼ 730 pe / MeV . Then we measured three In-loaded samples. At an In-loading of 44 g / l , an energy resolution of ∼ 11.6 % and a spatial resolution of ∼ 7 cm were attained for 477 keV recoil electrons. The long-range attenuation length in the cell was ∼ 1.3 m and the estimated photo-electron yield ∼ 200 pe / MeV . Light attenuation and relative light output of all tested samples could be reproduced reasonably well by MC. All optical properties of this system have remained stable over a period of > 1 year .

Luminescent properties of a new In-based organic liquid scintillation system

A novel liquid scintillator system using metal β-diketonate chemistry based on loadings of indium, a target of current interest in low energy solar neutrino detection, is developed. The optical absorption, fluorescence and scintillation properties for this new system are described. The scintillation light output as found from the irradiation by low energy gamma-rays is presented. Notable light yields are found.