Analysis of Mixed Radiation Fields at the MoEDAL Experiment Based on Real-Time Data from a Timepix Detector Network

TL;DR

This study utilizes the Timepix detector network to analyze mixed radiation fields at the MoEDAL experiment, providing real-time data on neutrons, hadrons, and ionizing particles to understand background noise affecting monopole searches.

Contribution

First application of a real-time, active detector network (Timepix) for detailed radiation field analysis at a high-energy physics experiment environment.

Findings

Real-time measurements of radiation composition and directionality across MoEDAL.

Detailed characterization of neutrons and ionizing particles in the experimental area.

Demonstration of particle tracking and energy-loss profiling capabilities of Timepix detectors.

Abstract

The primary objective of this work is the determination of fluences and characteristics of fast neutrons, other hadrons, and highly ionizing particles in the environment of the MoEDAL experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. These particles constitute an experimental background for the passive Nuclear Track Detectors (NTDs) used by MoEDAL to search for tracks potentially produced by Dirac magnetic monopoles, in particular by particles indistinguishable in NTD from monopoles. The study is based on data acquired by the Timepix hybrid silicon pixel detector network, which represents the first and only active detector system installed and operated as part of the MoEDAL experiment from 2013 to 2018. The Timepix detector network enables real-time measurements of mixed radiation fields, including the composition, spectral properties, and directional characteristics of individual radiation components across different regions of the MoEDAL experimental area. The paper presents detailed results of the radiation field analysis with emphasis on neutrons and highly ionizing particles, including their directional distributions. The first results demonstrating the spatial tracking capabilities of the Timepix detectors are also reported, illustrating the reconstruction of particle direction and energy-loss profiles from individual detector frames.