A Low Background Beta Detection System using a Time Projection Chamber

TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-background beta detection system using a Time Projection Chamber with advanced readout and discrimination techniques, achieving significant background reduction through experimental validation and simulation-based optimization.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel TPC-based beta detection system with integrated simulation and machine learning for background discrimination, achieving unprecedented background suppression levels.

Findings

Achieved a background rate of 0.49 cpm/cm^2 with >55% beta signal retention.

Simulation predicts potential background reduction to 0.0012 cpm/cm^2.

Identified environmental gamma radiation and detector materials as main background sources.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) system for low-background beta radiation measurements. The system consists of a TPC with two-dimensional-strip readout Micromegas and an anti-coincidence detector with readout pads for cosmic ray veto. The detector system utilize an AGET-based waveform sampling system for data acquisition. The beta detection capability of the system was verified through experimental test using $^{90}$Sr beta source. Additionally, a dedicated simulation program based on Geant4 was developed to model the entire detection process, including responses to both the beta source and background radiation. Simulation results were compared with experimental data for both beta and background samples, showing good agreements. The simulation samples were utilized to optimize and train classification models for beta and background discrimination. By applying the selected model into test data, the system achieved a background rate of 0.49 $\rm cpm/cm^2$ while retaining more than 55% of $^{90}$Sr beta signals within a 7 cm diameter detection region. Further analysis revealed that approximately 70% of the background originates from environmental gamma radiation, while the remaining contribution mainly comes from intrinsic radioactivity of detector materials, particularly the FR-4 based field cage and readout plane. Based on the knowledge gained from the experiments and simulations, an optimization of the TPC system has been proposed, with simulation predicting a potential reduction of the background rate to 0.0012 $\rm cpm/cm^2$.