Background Evaluation for the Neutron Sources in the Daya Bay Experiment

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the background noise caused by neutron calibration sources in the Daya Bay neutrino experiment, using simulations and calibration data to estimate its impact on electron-antineutrino detection.

Contribution

It provides a detailed assessment of neutron source-induced background in the Daya Bay experiment, combining Monte Carlo simulations with calibration data for accurate estimation.

Findings

Background rate of 0.26±0.12 per detector per day

Energy spectrum of the background characterized

Simulation benchmarked with calibration data

Abstract

We present an evaluation of the background induced by $^{241}$Am-$^{13}$C neutron calibration sources in the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment. As a significant background for electron-antineutrino detection at 0.26$\pm$0.12 per detector per day on average, it has been estimated by a Monte Carlo simulation that was benchmarked by a special calibration data set. This dedicated data set also provided the energy spectrum of the background.