학술논문
Low-background /sup 3/He proportional counters for use in the Sudbury neutrino observatory
Document Type
Periodical
Author
Browne, M.C.; Bowles, T.J.; Brice, S.J.; Doe, P.J.; Duba, C.A.; Elliott, S.R.; Esch, E.I.; Fowler, M.M.; Germani, J.V.; Goldschmidt, A.; Heeger, K.M.; Hime, A.; Lesko, K.T.; Miller, G.G.; Ollerhead, R.W.; Poon, A.W.P.; Robertson, R.G.H.; Smith, M.W.E.; Steiger, T.D.; Stokstad, R.G.; Thornewell, P.M.; Wilhelmy, J.B.; Wilkerson, J.F.; Wouters, J.M.
Source
IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on. 46(4):873-876 Aug, 1999
Subject
Language
ISSN
0018-9499
1558-1578
1558-1578
Abstract
Current solar neutrino detectors measure a considerably lower flux of electron-flavor neutrinos than predicted by solar models. This could be an indication of neutrino oscillations, which would provide direct evidence that neutrinos have mass. The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) was designed to detect all flavors of neutrinos, and will provide a rigorous test of this theory. The SNO detector's heavy water target gives it the unique ability to detect all non-sterile neutrino flavors via the neutral-current (NC) break-up of the deuteron. This NC interaction liberates a neutron which may be detected with an array of discrete /sup 3/He proportional counters. The strict radioactivity requirements imposed by the need for low backgrounds dictate the use of ultra-pure materials and processes in building these counters. Additionally, they must survive in the heavy water environment for several years. The design, construction, and testing of these unique counters are described.