Neutron background signal in superheated droplet detectors of the Phase II SIMPLE dark matter search

TL;DR

This paper presents an improved Monte Carlo simulation of neutron background signals in superheated droplet detectors used in the Phase II SIMPLE dark matter search, accounting for various uncertainties and material details.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive neutron background simulation model with enhanced accuracy and uncertainty analysis for the SIMPLE dark matter experiment.

Findings

Background estimate increased by 13% due to new factors

Non-statistical uncertainty raised to 25%

Final recoil event rate is 0.372 ± 0.002 (stat.) ± 0.097 (non-stat.) evt/kgd

Abstract

The simulation of the neutron background for Phase II of the SIMPLE direct dark matter search experiment is fully reported with various improvements relative to previous estimates. The model employs the Monte Carlo MCNP neutron transport code, using as input a realistic geometry description, measured radioassays and material compositions, and tabulated (\alpha,n) yields and spectra. Developments include the accounting of recoil energy distributions, consideration of additional reactions and materials and examination of the relevant (\alpha,n) data. A thorough analysis of the simulation results is performed that addresses an increased number of non-statistical uncertainties. The referred omissions are seen to provide a net increase of 13$\%$ in the previously-reported background estimates whereas the non-statistical uncertainty rises to 25$\%$. The final estimated recoil event rate is 0.372 $\pm$ 0.002 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.097 (non-stat.) evt/kgd resulting in insignificant changes over the results of the experiment.