PEN as self-vetoing structural Material

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) as a self-vetoing structural material for low background experiments due to its high radio-purity and scintillating properties, with ongoing qualification efforts.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of using PEN as a self-vetoing structural material in low background experiments and discusses current R&D efforts for its qualification.

Findings

PEN has high radio-purity suitable for low background applications.

PEN exhibits favorable scintillating properties.

Ongoing R&D aims to qualify PEN as a structural material.

Abstract

Polyethylene Naphtalate (PEN) is a mechanically very favorable polymer. Earlier it was found that thin foils made from PEN can have very high radio-purity compared to other commercially available foils. In fact, PEN is already in use for low background signal transmission applications (cables). Recently it has been realized that PEN also has favorable scintillating properties. In combination, this makes PEN a very promising candidate as a self-vetoing structural material in low background experiments. Components instrumented with light detectors could be built from PEN. This includes detector holders, detector containments, signal transmission links, etc. The current R\&D towards qualification of PEN as a self-vetoing low background structural material is be presented.