A new neutrino source for the study of the solar neutrino physics in the vacuum-matter transition region

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new electron-neutrino source generated via proton-induced reactions on aluminum, useful for solar neutrino experiments in the vacuum-matter transition region, and evaluates its detection prospects and potential for sterile neutrino detection.

Contribution

It introduces a novel neutrino source created through proton reactions on aluminum, with detailed simulation and evaluation for solar neutrino research.

Findings

Produced a 1-5 MeV neutrino source via $^{27}$Si decay.

Simulated reaction rates for radiochemical and scintillator detectors.

Discussed the potential for sterile neutrino detection.

Abstract

Production of a neutrino source through proton induced reaction is studied by using the particle transport code, GEANT4. Unstable isotope such as $^{27}$Si can be produced when $^{27}$Al target is bombarded by 15 MeV energetic proton beams. Through the beta decay process of the unstable isotope, a new electron-neutrino source in the 1.0 $\sim$ 5.0 MeV energy range is obtained. Proton induced reactions are simulated with JENDL High Energy File 2007 (JENDL/HE-2007) data and other nuclear data. For radioactive decay processes, we use "G4RadioactiveDecay" model based on the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF). We suggest target systems required for future's solar neutrino experiments, in particular, for the vacuum-matter transition region. As for the detection system of the new neutrino source, we evaluate reaction rates for available radiochemical detectors and LENA type scintillator detector. Possibility of detecting sterile neutrinos is also discussed.