Near-infrared scintillation of liquid argon

TL;DR

This paper reviews the history and recent findings on near-infrared scintillation in liquid argon, highlighting its potential for detector applications and presenting preliminary experimental results from Fermilab.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of NIR scintillation in liquid argon and reports new preliminary experimental results supporting its viability.

Findings

NIR scintillation occurs in liquid argon.

Preliminary results show promising light yield.

Potential applications in particle detectors.

Abstract

Since the 1970s it has been known that noble gases scintillate in the near infrared (NIR) region of the spectrum (0.7 $\mu$m < $\lambda$; < 1.5$\mu$m). More controversial has been the question of the NIR light yield for condensed noble gases. We first present the motivation for using the NIR scintillation in liquid argon detectors, then briefly review early as well as more recent efforts and finally show encouraging preliminary results of a test performed at Fermilab.