Large scale Gd-beta-diketonate based organic liquid scintillator production for antineutrino detection

TL;DR

This paper presents the development, large-scale production, and characterization of gadolinium-loaded organic liquid scintillators, including a novel beta-diketonate formulation, for improved antineutrino detection in reactor experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a new large-scale production process for gadolinium-loaded scintillators and a novel metal-free scintillator, enhancing neutrino detection capabilities.

Findings

Successful large-scale production of gadolinium scintillator.

Effective background suppression demonstrated in reactor experiments.

Introduction of a light-yield matched metal-free scintillator.

Abstract

Over the course of several decades, organic liquid scintillators have formed the basis for successful neutrino detectors. Gadolinium-loaded liquid scintillators provide efficient background suppression for electron antineutrino detection at nuclear reactor plants. In the Double Chooz reactor antineutrino experiment, a newly developed beta-diketonate gadolinium-loaded scintillator is utilized for the first time. Its large scale production and characterization are described. A new, light yield matched metal-free companion scintillator is presented. Both organic liquids comprise the target and "Gamma Catcher" of the Double Chooz detectors.