Calibration of liquid argon and neon detectors with $^{83}Kr^m$

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the use of $^{83}$Kr$^{ ext{m}}$ as an effective calibration source in liquid argon and neon detectors, providing clear scintillation signals and spatial resolution capabilities for dark matter and neutrino experiments.

Contribution

The paper introduces $^{83}$Kr$^{ ext{m}}$ as a novel calibration source for liquid argon and neon detectors, with detailed measurements of scintillation signals and spatial resolution.

Findings

Clear 41.5 keV scintillation peak observed in both liquids.

Achieved 6.0 photoelectrons/keV in argon with 6% resolution.

Achieved 3.0 photoelectrons/keV in neon with 19% resolution.

Abstract

We report results from tests of $^{83}$Kr$^{\mathrm{m}}$, as a calibration source in liquid argon and liquid neon. $^{83}$Kr$^{\mathrm{m}}$ atoms are produced in the decay of $^{83}$Rb, and a clear $^{83}$Kr$^{\mathrm{m}}$ scintillation peak at 41.5 keV appears in both liquids when filling our detector through a piece of zeolite coated with $^{83}$Rb. Based on this scintillation peak, we observe 6.0 photoelectrons/keV in liquid argon with a resolution of 6% ($\sigma$/E) and 3.0 photoelectrons/keV in liquid neon with a resolution of 19% ($\sigma$/E). The observed peak intensity subsequently decays with the $^{83}$Kr$^{\mathrm{m}}$ half-life after stopping the fill, and we find evidence that the spatial location of $^{83}$Kr$^{\mathrm{m}}$ atoms in the chamber can be resolved. $^{83}$Kr$^{\mathrm{m}}$ will be a useful calibration source for liquid argon and neon dark matter and solar neutrino detectors.