Performance of the SoLid Reactor Neutrino Detector

TL;DR

The SoLid neutrino detector near the Belgian reactor demonstrates high segmentation, precise calibration, and stable operation, enabling detailed studies of electron antineutrino oscillations.

Contribution

This paper presents the first comprehensive performance and stability assessment of the full-scale SoLid detector, including calibration and response characterization.

Findings

Channel-to-channel response controlled within 1%

Energy resolution better than 14% at 1 MeV

Vertex determination accuracy of 5 cm

Abstract

The SoLid collaboration is currently operating a 1.6 tons neutrino detector near the Belgian BR2 reactor, with main goal the observation of the oscillation of electron antineutrinos to previously undetected flavor states. The highly segmented SoLid detector employs a compound scintillation technology based on PVT scintillator in combination with a $^{6}$LiF:ZnS(Ag) screens containing $^{6}$Li isotopes. The experiment has demonstrated a channel-to-channel response that can be controlled to the one percent level, and energy resolution of better than 14\% at 1 MeV, and a determination of the interaction vertex with a precision of 5 cm. In this contribution we highlight the the current performance and stability of the full-scale system. The in-situ calibration results of the detector with various radioactive sources are discussed as well.