New methods of neutrino and anti-neutrino detection from 0.115 to 105 MeV

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel neutrino and anti-neutrino detection method effective from 0.115 to 105 MeV, with low background noise, suitable for solar, reactor, geological, and accelerator neutrino sources, enhancing measurement capabilities.

Contribution

The paper presents a new detection technique with a double pulse signature that significantly reduces backgrounds for low-energy neutrino and anti-neutrino detection.

Findings

Effective detection threshold down to 0.115 MeV.

Background noise almost eliminated in the detection mode.

Applicable to solar, reactor, geological, and accelerator neutrino sources.

Abstract

We have developed a neutrino detector with threshold energies from ~0.115 to 105 MeV in a clean detection mode almost completely void of accidental backgrounds. It was initially developed for the NASA $\nu$SOL project to put a solar neutrino detector very close to the Sun with 1,000 to 10,000 times higher solar neutrino flux than on Earth. Similar interactions have been found for anti-neutrinos, which were initially intended for Beta decay neutrinos from reactors, geological sources, or for nuclear security applications. These techniques work at the 1 to 100 MeV region for neutrinos from the ORNL Spallation Neutron Source or low energy accelerator neutrino and anti-neutrino production targets less than $\sim$100 MeV. The identification process is clean, with a double pulse detection signature within a time window between the first interaction producing the conversion electron or positron and the secondary gamma emission 100 ns to ~1 $\mu$s, which removes most accidental backgrounds. These new modes for neutrino and anti-neutrino detection of low energy neutrinos and anti-neutrinos could allow improvements to neutrino interaction measurements from an accelerator beam on a target.