A Prototype Neutron Veto for Dark Matter Detectors

TL;DR

This paper presents a prototype liquid scintillator neutron veto detector designed to significantly reduce neutron background in dark matter searches, potentially improving detection sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a new neutron veto concept with a prototype demonstrating over 99% neutron rejection efficiency for dark matter experiments.

Findings

Prototype achieves >99% neutron rejection

Potential to enhance dark matter detector sensitivity

Lays groundwork for scalable neutron veto systems

Abstract

Neutrons are a particularly dangerous background for direct WIMP dark matter searches; their nuclear recoils with the target nucleus are often indistinguishable from nuclear recoils produced by WIMP-nuclear collisions. In this study, we explore the concept of a liquid scintillator neutron veto detector that would allow direct dark matter detectors to potentially reject neutrons with greater than 99% efficiency. Here we outline the construction and testing of a small prototype detector and the potential implications of this technology for future dark matter detectors.