The characteristic properties of two-phase Ar avalanche detectors, including those obtained with CsI photocathode, are further studied. Such detectors are relevant in the field of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and dark matter search experiments. The detectors investigated comprised a 1 cm thick liquid Ar layer followed by a triple-GEM multiplier. In these detectors, typical gains reaching 10000 were obtained with good reproducibility and a stable operation for at least one day was demonstrated. Amplitude and pulse-shape characteristics are presented under irradiation with X-rays, gamma-rays and neutrons from different radioactive sources. The detection of both primary scintillation and ionization signals at higher gains, at a deposited energy of 60 keV, has been demonstrated.
Electron emission properties of two-phase Ar avalanche detectors are studied. The detectors investigated comprised a liquid Ar or Ar+N2 layer followed by a multi-GEM multiplier operated in the saturated vapour at 84 K. Two components of the electron emission through the liquid-gas interface were observed: fast and slow. In Ar, the slow emission component dominated even at higher fields, reaching 2 kV/cm. In Ar+N2 on the contrary, the fast emission component dominated at higher fields, the slow component being disappeared. This is explained by the electron backscattering effect in the gas phase…
The performance of a two-phase Ar avalanche detector with CsI photocathode was studied, with regard to potential application in coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and dark matter search experiments. The detector comprised a 1 cm thick liquid Ar layer and a triple-GEM multiplier operated in the saturated vapor above the liquid phase; the CsI photocathode was deposited on the first GEM. Successful detection of both primary scintillation and ionization signals, produced by beta-particles in liquid Ar, has for the first time been demonstrated in the two-phase avalanche mode.
The performance of a two-phase Ar avalanche detector in a single electron counting mode was studied, with regard to potential application in coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and dark matter search experiments. The detector comprised of a 1 cm thick liquid Ar layer and a triple-GEM multiplier operated in the saturated vapour above the liquid phase. Successful operation of the detector in single electron counting mode, in the gain range from 6000 to 40000, has for the first time been demonstrated.
We study the performance of two-phase avalanche detectors based on Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) and operated in an electron-avalanching mode in Ar and Xe. Emission, gain, energy resolution and stability characteristics of the detectors were studied. Rather high gains, reaching 5000, and stable operation for several hours were observed in the two-phase Ar avalanche detector using a triple-GEM multiplier. The signals induced by X-rays, beta-particles and gamma-rays were successfully recorded. Preliminary results were obtained in the two-phase Xe avalanche detector: the maximum gain of the tri…
Large Area Avalanche Photodiodes (LAAPDs) were used for a series of systematic measurements of the scintillation light in Ar, Kr, and Xe gas. Absolute quantum efficiencies are derived. Values for Xe and Kr are consistent with those given by the manufacturer. For the first time we show that argon scintillation (128 nm) can be detected at a quantum efficiency above 40%. Low-pressure argon gas is shown to emit significant amounts of non-UV radiation. The average energy expenditure for the creation of non-UV photons in argon gas at this pressure is measured to be below 378 eV.
The performance of thick GEMs (THGEMs) was compared to that of thin GEMs in two-phase Ar avalanche detectors, in view of their potential application in coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering, dark-matter search and in other rare-event experiments. The detectors comprised a 1 cm thick liquid-Ar layer followed by either a double-THGEM or a triple-GEM multiplier, operated in the saturated vapor above the liquid phase. Three types of THGEMs were studied: those made of G10 and Kevlar and that with resistive electrodes (RETHGEM). Only the G10-made THGEM showed a stable performance in two-phase Ar with…
The possibility of efficient collection and detection of vacuum ultraviolet light as emitted by argon, krypton, and xenon gas is studied. Absolute quantum efficiencies of large area avalanche photodiodes (LAAPDs) are derived at these wavelengths. VUV light of wavelengths down to the 128nm of Ar emission is shown to be detectable with silicon avalanche photodiodes at quantum efficiencies above 42%. Flexible Mylar foil overcoated with Al+MgF$_2$ is measured to have a specular reflectivity of $\sim$91% at argon emission wavelength. Low-pressure argon gas is shown to emit significant amounts of no…
A two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detector (CRAD) with electroluminescence (EL) gap, operated in argon doped with a minor (49$\pm$7 ppm) admixture of nitrogen, has been studied. The EL gap was optically read out using cryogenic PMTs located on the perimeter of the gap. We present the results of the measurements of the N$_2$ content, detector sensitivity to X-ray-induced signals, EL gap yield and electron lifetime in the liquid. The detector sensitivity, at a drift field in liquid Ar of 0.6 kV/cm, was measured to be 9 and 16 photoelectrons recorded at the PMTs per keV of deposited energy at 23 an…
4H-Silicon Carbide, when considered as a material for the fabrication of Low Gain Avalanche Detectors for particle timing and position measurement, offers potential advantages over Silicon. We discuss an ongoing study of this material aimed at the fabrication and test of prototype fast timing sensors. This work is well aligned with technical directions identified in the recent Department of Energy study, Basic Research Needs for High Energy Physics Detector Research and Development.
Future large liquid argon direct dark matter detectors can benefit greatly from an efficient surface background rejection technique. To aid the development of these large scale detectors a test stand, Argon-1, has been constructed at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, in the noble liquid detector development lab. It aims to test a novel surface background rejection technique using a thin layer of slow scintillating material at the surface of the vessel. Through pulse-shape discrimination of the slow light from the scintillating layer, events from the surface of the detector can be discrimina…
Liquid argon detectors are employed in a wide variety of nuclear and particle physics experiments. The addition of small quantities of xenon to argon modifies its scintillation, ionization, and electroluminescence properties and can improve its performance as a detection medium. However, a liquid argon-xenon mixture can develop instabilities, especially in systems that require phase transitions or that utilize high xenon concentrations. In this work, we discuss the causes for such instabilities and describe a small (liter-scale) apparatus with a unique cryogenic circuit specifically designed t…
Characteristic properties of a Geiger Mode APD (G-APD) in a THGEM-based cryogenic two-phase Ar avalanche detector were studied in view of potential applications in rare-event experiments. G-APD signal amplitude and noise characteristics at cryogenic temperatures turned out to be superior to those at room temperature. The effective detection of avalanche scintillations from THGEM-multiplier holes in two-phase Ar has been demonstrated using a G-APD without wavelength shifter. At an avalanche gain of 60, the avalanche scintillation yield measured by the G-APD was as high as 0.9 photoelectrons per…
A proof of concept detector is presented for scintillation light detection in liquid argon using Silicon Photo-Multipliers. The aim of the work is to build an anti-Compton veto for germanium detectors operated directly in liquid argon like in the GERDA experiment. Properties of the Multi-Pixel Photon Counter (MPPC) are studied at cryogenic temperatures. To increase the light collection efficiency of the MPPCs wavelength shifting fibers were used. A veto efficiency comparable to a similar setup with a Photo-Multiplier Tube was achieved.
A novel concept of optical signal recording in two-phase avalanche detectors, with Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiodes (G-APD) is described. Avalanche-scintillation photons were measured in a thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM) in view of potential applications in rare-event experiments. The effective detection of avalanche scintillations in THGEM holes has been demonstrated in two-phase Ar with a bare G-APD without wavelength shifter, i.e. insensitive to VUV emission of Ar. At gas-avalanche gain of 400 and under \pm 70^\circ viewing-angle, the G-APD yielded 640 photoelectrons (pe) per 60 keV …
This paper demonstrates the performance of planar geometry InGaAs/InP avalanche diodes, specifically designed and fabricated for Geiger-mode operation at wavelengths around 1550nm, in terms of dark count rate, single-photon detection efficiency, afterpulsing and photon-timing jitter.
ArDM is a new-generation WIMP detector which will measure simultaneously light and charge from scintillation and ionization of liquid argon. Our goal is to construct, characterize and operate a 1 ton liquid argon underground detector. The project relies on the possibility to extract the electrons produced by ionization from the liquid into the gas phase of the detector, to amplify and read out with Large Electron Multipliers detectors. Argon VUV scintillation light has to be converted with wavelength shifters such as TetraPhenyl Butadiene in order to be detected by photomultipliers with bialka…
We study the performance of gaseous and two-phase (liquid-gas) cryogenic detectors of ionizing radiation, based on gas electron multipliers (GEMs). For the first time, high gas gains, exceeding 10^4, were obtained in pure He, Ar and Kr at low temperatures and the stable avalanche mode of operation was observed in the two-phase cryogenic detector in Kr. The electron avalanching at low temperatures, in the range of 120-300 K, is systematically studied.
Optical recording of avalanche-induced photons is an interesting tool for studying basic physics processes in gaseous detectors. In this work we demonstrate the potential of optical readout in avalanche-propagation investigations in Thick Gas Electron Multipliers (THGEMs) operated with Ne/CF4 (95/5). We present the results of direct measurements, with single- and cascaded-THGEM detectors irradiated with soft x-rays, of the hole-multiplicity and avalanche asymmetry within holes, as a function of detector parameters. Further study directions are discussed.
Recent years getting progress in the area of micropixel avalanche photodiode makes them attractive as sensors for scintillation detectors. The performance of the scintillation detectors is strongly tied to the physical properties of MAPD. For this point of wives, we will investigate three types MAPD-3NK, MAPD-3NM and MAPD-3NM-II for possible use in a scintillation detector. Investigated avalanche photodiodes have the following parameters e.g low operation voltage (90V$<$U$<$50V), high pixel density (4000 pixel/mm^2), high photodetection efficiency (40%) and high gain (6*10^4). Gamma-ray detect…
The DUNE Near Detector design consists of multiple components, each designed to produce complementary constraints on flux and neutrino interaction systematic uncertainties for the oscillation analyses. One of these subdetectors is a magnetized high-pressure gaseous-argon TPC (HPgTPC), which will provide fine-grained tracking in a low-density detector, using the same target nucleus as the DUNE far detector. With its low momentum threshold for particle detection, the HPgTPC will be able to constrain one of the most crucial - and least-well understood - uncertainties for the oscillation analysis:…
We study the performances of gaseous and two-phase (liquid-gas) cryogenic detectors of ionizing radiation based on gas electron multipliers (GEMs) and operated in an avalanche mode in pure noble gases. The gas amplification in He, Ar and Kr is systematically studied at low temperatures, using triple-GEM multipliers. High gains, exceeding 10^4, were obtained in these gases in the range of 120-300 K. Stable electron avalanching was demonstrated in a saturated Kr vapor in the two-phase mode. These results are relevant for understanding basic mechanisms of electron avalanching at low temperatures …
In the Fall of 2017, two photon detector designs for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Far Detector were installed and tested in the TallBo liquid argon (LAr) cryostat at the Proton Assembly (PAB) facility, Fermilab. The designs include two light bars developed at Indiana University and a photon detector based on the ARAPUCA light trap engineered by Colorado State University and Fermilab. The performance of these devices is determined by analyzing 8 weeks of cosmic ray data. The current paper focuses solely on the ARAPUCA device as the performance of the light bars will be report…
Measurements with a bare p-type high purity germanium diode (HPGe) submerged in a 19 kg liquid argon (LAr) scintillation detector at MPIK Heidelberg are reported. The liquid argon--germanium system (LArGe) is operated as a 4$π$ anti-Compton spectrometer to suppress backgrounds in the HPGe. This R&D is carried out in the framework of the GERDA experiment which searches for 0$νββ$ decays with HPGe detectors enriched in $^{76}$Ge. The goal of this work is to develop a novel method to discriminate backgrounds in 0$νββ$ search which would ultimately allow to investigate the effective neutrino mass …
We propose a novel design of superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors (SNAPs), which combines the advantages of multi-stage avalanche SNAPs to lower the avalanche current I_AV and that of series-SNAPs to reduce the reset time. As proof of principle, we fabricated 800 devices with large detection area (15 um * 15 um) and five different designs on a single silicon chip for comparison, which include standard SNSPDs, series-3-SNAPs and our modified series-SNAPs with double-stage avalanche structure 2*2-SNAPs, 2*3-SNAPs, and 3*3-SNAPs. The former three types of the detectors demonstrate fu…
The subject of space charge in ionisation detectors is reviewed, with particular attention to the case of liquid argon time projection chambers. Analytical and numerical description of the effects on the reconstructed coordinates along the drift and the transverse directions are presented. The cases of limited electron lifetime, of dual-phase detectors with ion feedback, and of detectors with small and comparable ratio between drift length and width are considered. Two design solutions that mitigates the effects are discussed.
One of the most powerful techniques for direct detection of dark matter via elastic scattering of galactic WIMPs is the use of liquid argon time projection chambers. Atmospheric argon (AAr) has a naturally occurring radioactive isotope, \ar{}, of cosmogenic origin. The use of argon extracted from underground wells, deprived of \ar{}, is key to the physics potential of these experiments. The DarkSide-20k (DS-20k) dark matter search experiment will operate with 50 tonnes of radio-pure underground argon (UAr), extracted from the Urania plant in Cortez (USA) and purified in the Aria distillation p…
Low-Gain Avalanche Detectors are gathering interest in the High-Energy Physics community thanks to their fast-timing and radiation-hardness properties, which are planned to be exploited, for example, in timing detectors for the upgrades of the ATLAS and CMS detectors at the High Luminosity LHC. This new technology has also raised interest for its possible application for photon detection in medical physics, imaging and photon science. The main characteristic of this type of device is a thin and highly-doped layer that provides internal and moderate gain, in the order of 10-20, that enhances th…
This paper presents the physical concept and test results of sample data of the high-speed hardware true random number generator design based on typically used for High Energy Physics hardware. Main features of this concept are the high speed of the true random numbers generation (tens of Mbt/s), miniature size and estimated lower production cost. This allows the use of such a device not only in large companies and government offices but for the end-user data cryptography, in classrooms, in scientific Monte-Carlo simulations, computer games and any other place where large number of true random…
The Tokai-to-Kamioka (T2K) experiment is a second generation long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment which aims at a sensitive search for the nu_e appearance. The main design features of the T2K near detectors located at 280 m from the target are presented. Scintillator counters developed for the T2K near detectors are described. Readout of the counters is provided via WLS fibers embedded into S-shape grooves in a scintillator and viewed from both ends by multi-pixel avalanche photodiodes operating in a limited Geiger mode. A desription, operational principles and the results of tests of…
Capacitive devices are customarily used as probes to measure the level of noble liquids in detectors operated for neutrino studies and dark matter searches. In this work we describe the use of a high-temperature superconducting material as an alternative to control the level of a cryogenic noble liquid. Lab measurements indicate that the superconductor shows a linear behaviour, a high degree of stability and offers a very accurate determination of the liquid volume. This device is therefore a competitive instrument and shows several advantages over conventional level meters.
Charge multiplication through avalanche processes is commonly employed in the detection of single photons or charged particles in high-energy physics and beyond. In this report, we provide a detailed discussion of the properties of avalanches driven by two species of charge carriers, e.g. electrons and holes in a semiconductor exposed to an electric field. We derive equations that describe the general case of avalanches developing in inhomogeneous electric fields and give their analytical solutions for constant fields. We discuss consequences for the time resolution achievable with detectors t…
Two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detectors (CRADs) with combined THGEM/GAPD multiplier have become an emerging potential technique for dark matter search and coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering experiments. In such a multiplier the THGEM hole avalanches are optically recorded in the Near Infrared (NIR) using a matrix of Geiger-mode APDs (GAPDs). To select the proper sensor, the performances of six GAPD types manufactured by different companies, namely by Hamamatsu (MPPCs), CPTA (MRS APDs) and SensL (SiPMs), have been comparatively studied at cryogenic temperatures when operated in two-phase CRAD…
We describe a technique, applicable to liquid-argon-based dark matter detectors, allowing for discrimination of alpha-decays in detector regions with incomplete light collection from nuclear-recoil-like events. Nuclear recoils and alpha events preferentially excite the liquid argon (LAr) singlet state, which has a decay time of ~6 ns. The wavelength-shifter TPB, which is typically applied to the inside of the active detector volume to make the LAr scintillation photons visible, has a short re-emission time that preserves the LAr scintillation timing. We developed a wavelength-shifting polymeri…
We have developed a new detector of photons and charged particles- a hole-type structure with electrodes made of a double layered resistive material: a thin low resistive layer coated with a layer having a much higher resistivity. One of the unique features of this detector is its capability to operate at high gas gains (up to 10E4) in air or in gas mixtures with air. They can also operate in a cascaded mode or be combined with other detectors, for example with GEM. This opens new avenues in their applications. Several prototypes of these devices based on new detectors and oriented on practica…
A study of the localization properties of a single-element Resistive Plate WELL (RPWELL) detector is presented. The detector comprises of a single-sided THick Gaseous Electron Multiplier (THGEM) coupled to a segmented readout anode through a doped silicate-glass plate of 10$^{10}$ $Ω\cdot$cm bulk resistivity. Operated in ambient Ne/(5$\%$CH$_4$) gas, the detector has been investigated with 150 GeV muons at CERN-SPS. Signals induced through the resistive plate on anode readout strips were recorded with APV25/SRS electronics. The experimental results are compared with that of Monte Carlo simulat…
We investigated the timing jitter of superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetectors (SNAPs, also referred to as cascade switching superconducting single photon detectors) based on 30-nm-wide nanowires. At bias currents (IB) near the switching current, SNAPs showed sub 35 ps FWHM Gaussian jitter similar to standard 100 nm wide superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. At lower values of IB, the instrument response function (IRF) of the detectors became wider, more asymmetric, and shifted to longer time delays. We could reproduce the experimentally observed IRF time-shift in simulatio…
Decays of radioisotopes on inner detector surfaces can pose a major background concern for the direct detection of dark matter. While these backgrounds are conventionally mitigated with position cuts, these cuts reduce the exposure of the detector by decreasing the sensitive mass, and uncertainty in position determination may make it impossible to adequately remove such events in certain detectors. In this paper, we provide a new technique for substantially reducing these surface backgrounds in liquid argon (LAr) detectors, independent of position cuts. These detectors typically use a coating …
Particle detectors based on liquid argon (LAr) have recently become recognized as an extremely attractive technology for the direct detection of dark matter as well as the measurement of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS). The Chinese argon group at Institute of High Energy Physics has been studying the LAr detector technology and a LAr detector has been operating steadily. A program of using a dual phase LAr detector to measure the CE$ν$NS at Taishang Nuclear Power Plant has been proposed and the R\&D work is ongoing. Considering the requirements of ultra-low radio-purity …
The Picosecond Avalanche Detector is a multi-junction silicon pixel detector based on a $\mathrm{(NP)_{drift}(NP)_{gain}}$ structure, devised to enable charged-particle tracking with high spatial resolution and picosecond time-stamp capability. It uses a continuous junction deep inside the sensor volume to amplify the primary charge produced by ionizing radiation in a thin absorption layer. The signal is then induced by the secondary charges moving inside a thicker drift region. A proof-of-concept monolithic prototype, consisting of a matrix of hexagonal pixels with 100 $μ$m pitch, has been pr…
Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGAD) represent a remarkable advance in high energy particle detection, since they provide a moderate increase (gain ~10) of the collected charge, thus leading to a notable improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio, which largely extends the possible application of Silicon detectors beyond their present working field. The optimum detection performance requires a careful implementation of the multiplication junction, in order to obtain the desired gain on the read out signal, but also a proper design of the edge termination and the peripheral region, which prevents …
The single-photon avalanche photodiode(SPAD) has been widely used in research on quantum optics. The afterpulsing effect, which is an intrinsic character of SPAD, affects the system performance in most experiments and needs to be carefully handled. For a long time, afterpulsing has been presumed to be determined by the pre-ignition avalanche. We studied the afterpulsing effect of a commercial InGaAs/InP SPAD (The avalanche photodiode model is: Princeton Lightwave PGA-300) and demonstrated that its afterpulsing is non-Markovian, with a memory effect in the avalanching history. Theoretical analy…
The aim of this work is to develop a prototype of integrated detector system to monitor environmental hazard: appearance of flames, smoke, sparks or dangerous gases (flammable, toxic, radioactive). We built and successfully tested prototypes of all components of the system. Our sensors are based on established CERN technologies and have superior characteristics, featuring between 10 to 1000 times higher sensitivity than the best commercial sensors. The final version of our device would consist of multifunctional sensors assembled in a single unit; each sensor will perform a specific task and d…
Presented here are first tests of a Gaseous Photomultiplier based on a cascade of Thick GEM structures intended for gamma-ray position reconstruction in liquid Argon. The detector has a MgF$_2$ window, transparent to VUV light, and a CsI photocathode deposited on the first THGEM. A gain of $8\cdot10^{5}$ per photoelectron and $\sim100\%$ photoelectron collection efficiency are measured at stable operation settings. The excellent position resolution capabilities of the detector (better than 100 $μ$m) at 100 kHz readout rate, is demonstrated at room temperature. Structural integrity tests of the…
Large liquid argon detectors have become widely used in low rate experiments, including dark matter and neutrino research. However, the optical properties of liquid argon are not well understood at the large scales relevant for current and near-future detectors.The index of refraction of liquid argon at the scin- tillation wavelength has not been measured, and current Rayleigh scattering length calculations disagree with measurements. Furthermore, the Rayleigh scattering length and index of refraction of solid argon and solid xenon at their scintillation wavelengths have not been previously me…
Modern avalanche photodiodes (APDs) with high gain are good device candidates for light readout from detectors applied in relativistic heavy ion collisions experiments. The results of the investigations of the APDs properties from Zecotek, Ketek and Hamamatsu manufacturers after irradiation using secondary neutrons from cyclotron facility U120M at NPI of ASCR in Řež are presented. The results of the investigations can be used for the design of the detectors for the experiments at NICA and FAIR.
Charging-up processes affecting gain stability in Thick Gas Electron Multipliers (THGEM) were studied with a dedicated simulation toolkit. Integrated with Garfield++, it provides an effective platform for systematic phenomenological studies of charging-up processes in MPGD detectors. We describe the simulation tool and the fine-tuning of the step-size required for the algorithm convergence, in relation to physical parameters. Simulation results of gain stability over time in THGEM detectors are presented, exploring the role of electrode-thickness and applied voltage on its evolution. The resul…
The proof-of-concept prototype of the Picosecond Avalanche Detector, a multi-PN junction monolithic silicon detector with continuous gain layer deep in the sensor depleted region, was tested with a beam of 180 GeV pions at the CERN SPS. The prototype features low noise and fast SiGe BiCMOS frontend electronics and hexagonal pixels with 100 μm pitch. At a sensor bias voltage of 125 V, the detector provides full efficiency and average time resolution of 30, 25 and 17 ps in the overall pixel area for a power consumption of 0.4, 0.9 and 2.7 W/cm^2, respectively. In this first prototype the time re…
Low Gain Avalanche Detectors(LGADs) is one of the candidate sensing technologies for future 4D-tracking applications and recently have been qualified to be used in the ATLAS and CMS timing detectors for the CERN High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider upgrade.LGADs can achieve an excellent timing performance by the presence of an internal gain that improves the signal-to-noise ratio leading to a better time resolution. These detectors are designed to exhibit a moderate gain with an increase of the reverse bias voltage. The value of the gain strongly depends on the temperature. Thus, these two va…
To optimise the design of the light readout in the ArDM 1-ton liquid argon dark matter detector, a range of reflector and WLS coating combinations were investigated in several small setups, where argon scintillation light was generated by radioactive sources in gas at normal temperature and pressure and shifted into the blue region by tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB). Various thicknesses of TPB were deposited by spraying and vacuum evaporation onto specular 3M{\small\texttrademark}-foil and diffuse Tetratex{\small\textregistered} (TTX) substrates. Light yields of each reflector and TPB coating comb…
A successful operation of a new optical readout system (THGEM + WLS + MGPDs (multichannel array of multipixel avalanche Geiger photodiodes) in a two-phase liquid xenon detector was demonstrated.
The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA, will search for neutrinoless double beta decay in 76Ge at the National Gran Sasso Laboratory of the INFN. Bare high-purity germanium detectors enriched in 76Ge will be submerged in liquid argon serving simultaneously as a shield against external radioactivity and as a cooling medium. In GERDA Phase-I, reprocessed enriched-Ge detectors, which were previously operated by the Heidelberg-Moscow and IGEX collaborations, will be redeployed. Before operating the enriched detectors, tests are performed with non-enriched bare HPGe detectors in the GERDA underground …
Liquid argon is being employed as a detector medium in neutrino physics and Dark Matter searches. A recent push to expand the applications of scintillation light in Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber neutrino detectors has necessitated the development of advanced methods of simulating this light. The presently available methods tend to be prohibitively slow or imprecise due to the combination of detector size and the amount of energy deposited by neutrino beam interactions. In this work we present a semi-analytical model to predict the quantity of argon scintillation light observed by a ligh…
Gas Electroluminescence in a Dual Phase Xenon-Doped Argon Detector
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory（劳伦斯利弗莫尔国家实验室）；University of California Davis（加州大学戴维斯分校）；University of California San Diego（加州大学圣地亚哥分校）；University of California Riverside（加州大学河滨分校）
In this paper we demonstrate the capability of high voltage varistors and gas discharge tube arrestors for use as surge protection devices in liquid argon time projection chamber detectors. The insulating and clamping behavior of each type of device is characterized in air (room temperature), and liquid argon (90~K), and their robustness under high voltage and high energy surges in cryogenic conditions is verified. The protection of vulnerable components in liquid argon during a 150 kV high voltage discharge is also demonstrated. Each device is tested for argon contamination and light emission…
Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber detectors are ideally suited for studying neutrino interactions and probing the parameters that characterize neutrino oscillations. The ability to drift ionization particles over long distances in purified argon and to trigger on abundant scintillation light allows for excellent particle identification and triggering capability. In these proceedings the details of the ArgoNeuT test-beam project will be presented after a brief introduction to the detector technique. ArgoNeuT is a 175 liter detector exposed to Fermilab's NuMI neutrino beamline. The first neut…
ArgoNeuT, or Argon Neutrino Test, is a 170 liter liquid argon time projection chamber designed to collect neutrino interactions from the NuMI beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. ArgoNeuT operated in the NuMI low-energy beam line directly upstream of the MINOS Near Detector from September 2009 to February 2010, during which thousands of neutrino and antineutrino events were collected. The MINOS Near Detector was used to measure muons downstream of ArgoNeuT. Though ArgoNeuT is primarily an R&D project, the data collected provide a unique opportunity to measure neutrino cross sections …
