Performance of the SoLid electron anti-neutrino detector

TL;DR

The SoLid experiment uses a novel segmented scintillation detector at the Belgian reactor to search for sterile neutrino oscillations, demonstrating precise calibration, energy resolution, and ongoing upgrades.

Contribution

This paper details the technology choices, calibration performance, and upgrade plans of the SoLid neutrino detector, highlighting its novel hybrid scintillation approach.

Findings

Channel-to-channel response controlled within a few percent

Energy resolution better than 14% at 1 MeV

Vertex determination with 5 cm precision

Abstract

The SoLid collaboration operates since 2018 a 1.6 ton neutrino detector at the Belgian BR2 reactor, with as main goal the search for the oscillation of electron anti-neutrinos to a sterile state. The highly segmented SoLid detector employs a novel hybrid scintillation technology based on PVT scintillator in combination with a $^6$LiF:ZnS(Ag) screens containing $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ isotopes. The experiment has demonstrated a channel-to-channel response that can be controlled to the level of a few percent, an energy resolution of better than 14$\%$ at 1 MeV, and a determination of the interaction vertex with a precision of 5 cm. This contribution discusses the technology choices that were made for SoLid experiment and the calibration performances required. The ongoing upgrade program of the detector and the expected associated improvements in performance will also be presented.