Reducing the Solar Neutrino Background Using Polarised Helium-3

TL;DR

A polarized helium-3 detector could significantly reduce solar neutrino background in dark matter searches, potentially improving sensitivity by eliminating most neutrino events when properly oriented.

Contribution

This work proposes using polarized helium-3 to suppress solar neutrino background, a novel approach for enhancing dark matter detection sensitivity.

Findings

98% reduction of solar neutrino events with optimal polarization orientation

Potential for improved dark matter detection sensitivity

Feasibility considerations for building polarized helium-3 detectors

Abstract

Future dark matter detectors plan to have sensitivities such that solar neutrinos will start to become a problematic background. In this work we show that a polarised helium-3 detector would in principle be able to eliminate 98% of these events when the orientation of the polarisation axis is antiparallel to the direction of the Sun. We comment on the possible improvement in sensitivity of dark matter direct detection experiments due to this effect and the feasibility of building such a detector.