Technology of the SoLid detector and construction of the first submodule

TL;DR

The paper describes the development and initial testing of the SoLid detector, a novel neutrino detection technology using PVT cubes and LiF:ZnS screens, aimed at resolving the reactor neutrino anomaly.

Contribution

It introduces a new detector technology combining PVT cubes and LiF:ZnS screens and reports on the construction and calibration of the first module.

Findings

Successful construction and commissioning of the first detector module.

Effective calibration using radioactive sources.

Enhanced background rejection and neutron identification capabilities.

Abstract

The SoLid experiment aims to resolve the reactor anti neutrino anomaly by searching for short baseline neutrino oscillations. The experiment makes use of a novel detector technology based on the combination of 5cm x 5cm x 5cm PVT cubes and 6 LiF:ZnS screens. This technology provides an improvement for the background rejection capabilities, the neutron identification and the localization of the inverse beta decay compared to the standard liquid scintillators + Gd detectors. These proceedings discuss the construction and commissioning of the first module installed at the BR2 research reactor in SCK-CEN, Mol, Belgium. Radioactive sources are used to study the light attenuation and to calibrate the energy response of the detector.