NEUCAL: a prototype detector for electron/hadron discrimination through neutron measurement

TL;DR

NEUCAL is a neutron detector designed to improve electron/hadron discrimination in cosmic rays by measuring neutron yields during shower development, with a prototype tested and compared to simulations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel neutron detection approach for particle discrimination and presents initial prototype results and simulation comparisons.

Findings

Prototype detector successfully measures neutron signals during shower moderation.

Preliminary data shows potential for improved electron/hadron separation.

Simulation results align reasonably with experimental data.

Abstract

NEUCAL is a neutron detector which is currently under study to be used as a sub-detector complementing electromagnetic (e.m.) calorimeters for electron/hadron discrimination in cosmic rays at high energy. Its aim is to reveal the different yield of neutron production in e.m. and hadronic showers, not only by counting signals due to their absorption in some sensible detector after passive moderation, but also looking for signals produced during the moderation phase. The basic idea and a test of a prototype detector are discussed in this paper. A first preliminary comparison of experimental data with simulation is also shown.