Detector setup of the VIP2 Underground Experiment at LNGS

TL;DR

The VIP2 experiment at LNGS searches for violations of the Pauli Exclusion Principle by detecting forbidden atomic transitions in copper using advanced Silicon Drift Detectors and shielding in an underground setting.

Contribution

This paper details the detector setup and system components of the VIP2 experiment, including novel use of Silicon Drift Detectors and shielding arrangements.

Findings

Silicon Drift Detectors achieve ~150 eV energy resolution at 6 keV.

The setup effectively reduces background noise in underground conditions.

The system is suitable for high-sensitivity tests of fundamental physics principles.

Abstract

The VIP2 experiment tests the Pauli Exclusion Principle with high sensitivity, by searching for Pauli-forbidden atomic transitions from the 2p to the 1s shell in copper at about 8keV. The transition energy of Pauli-forbidden K X-rays is shifted by about 300 eV with respect to the normal allowed K line. This energy difference can be resolved using Silicon Drift Detectors. The data for this experiment is taken in the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS), which provides shielding from cosmic radiation. An overview of the detection system of the VIP2 experiment will be given. This includes the Silicon Drift Detectors used as X-ray detectors which provide an energy resolution of around 150 eV at 6 keV and timing information for active shielding. Furthermore, the low maintenance requirement makes them excellent X-ray detectors for the use in an underground laboratory. The VIP2 setup will be discussed which consists of a high current target system and a passive as well as an active shielding system using plastic scintillators read out by Silicon Photomultipliers.