Searching for universal behaviour in superheated droplet detector with effective recoil nuclei

TL;DR

This paper proposes a universal energy calibration method for superheated droplet detectors based on effective recoil nucleus threshold energy and reduced superheat, comparing liquids R114 and C4F10 for neutron and dark matter detection.

Contribution

It introduces a universal calibration curve applicable to different liquids and analyzes the influence of recoil nucleus LET on detector discrimination capabilities.

Findings

Liquid with higher LET recoil nuclei improves discrimination between neutrons and gamma rays.

C4F10 shows specific gamma response characteristics.

Nucleation parameter behavior correlates with recoil nucleus threshold energy and superheat.

Abstract

Energy calibration of superheated droplet detector is discussed in terms of the effective recoil nucleus threshold energy and the reduced superheat. This provides a universal energy calibration curve valid for different liquids used in this type of detector. Two widely used liquids, R114 and C4F10, one for neutron detection and the other for WIMPs dark matter search experiment, have been compared. Liquid having recoil nuclei with larger values of LET provides better neutron and gamma discrimination. Gamma response of C4F10 has also been studied and the results are discussed. Behaviour of nucleation parameter with the effective recoil nucleus threshold energy and the reduced superheat have been explored.