Senior Theses
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Publication Date
5-12-2018
Document Type
Thesis (Linfield Access)
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Department
Physics
Faculty Advisor(s)
Jennifer Heath (Thesis Advisor)
Joelle Murray & Michael Crosser (Committee Members)
Subject Categories
Elementary Particles and Fields and String Theory | Physics
Abstract
Background: The COHERENT collaboration is dedicated to measuring Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering (CEνNS), an interaction predicted by the standard model. In the pursuit of observing the N2 scaling predicted, COHERENT is deploying nine tons of NaI[Tl] detector to observe CEνNS recoils of sodium nuclei. Before the nine tons of this NaI[Tl] scintillator are deployed, however, each crystal and PMT must be characterized to understand the individual properties vital to precision in the measurement of CEνNS. This detector is also expected to allow COHERENT to observe charged current and CEνNS interactions with 127I.
Methods: A standard operating procedure is developed to characterize each detector based on seven properties relevant to precision in the measurement of CEνNS: energy scale, energy resolution, low-energy light yield non-linearity, decay time energy dependence, position variance, time variance, and background levels.
Results: Crystals and PMTs will be tested and characterized for these properties in the context of a ton-scale NaI[Tl] detector. Preliminary development of the standard operating procedure (SOP) has allowed for greater understanding of optimization methods needed for characterization for the ton scale detector.
Conclusions: The SOP for characterizing these detectors is in its final stages. Finalization of the SOP will allow for characterizing these detectors on the mass scale needed given the unusually large volume of scintillator to be deployed for the collaboration.
Recommended Citation
Maier, Alleta, "CEνNS N2 Scaling Test Preparation: Characterization of NaI[Tl] Scintillating Crystal" (2018). Senior Theses. 33.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/physstud_theses/33
