Development of a neutrino detector capable of operating in space

TL;DR

This paper presents the development and planned testing of a space-based neutrino detector that uses a novel detection method with Gallium nuclei, aiming to operate unshielded near the Sun for solar neutrino observation.

Contribution

It introduces a new space-compatible neutrino detection concept utilizing double delayed coincidence in Gallium, with a prototype planned for Earth orbit to validate the approach.

Findings

Lab studies of the detector concept completed

Scheduled for a one-year orbit test in late 2024

Potential to enable unshielded solar neutrino detection in space

Abstract

The $\nu$SOL experiment to operate a neutrino detector close to the Sun is building a small test detector to orbit the Earth to test the concept in space. This detector concept is to provide a new way to detect neutrinos unshielded in space. A double delayed coincidence on Gallium nuclei that have a large cross section for solar neutrino interactions emitting a conversion electron and converting the nuclei into an excited state of Germanium, which decays with a well-known energy and half-life. This unique signature permits operation of the detector volume mostly unshielded in space with a high single particle counting rate from gamma and cosmic ray events. The test detector concept which has been studied in the lab and is planned for a year of operations orbiting Earth which is scheduled for launch in late 2024. It will be surrounded by an active veto and shielding will be operated in a polar orbit around the Earth to validate the detector concept and study detailed background spectrums that can fake the double timing and energy signature from random galactic cosmic or gamma rays. The success of this new technology development will permit the design of a larger spacecraft with a mission to fly close to the Sun and is of importance to the primary science mission of the Heliophysics division of NASA Space Science Mission Directorate, which is to better understand the Sun by measuring details of our Sun's fusion core.