Mainz 2014 – scientific programme

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 18: Niederenergie-Neutrinophysik 1

T 18.6: Talk

Monday, March 24, 2014, 12:15–12:30, P106

Feasibility study of muon-induced neutrons measurement in shallow underground labs and a first measurement attempt above ground. — •Matteo Palermo for the GeDet collaboration — Max-Planck-Institut für Physik,München

In the field of low background experiments, the expected event rate is especially small: background identification and reduction becomes essential in order to obtain an acceptable signal to background ratio. One of the three main sources of background for such experiments comes from the interactions of remaining cosmic muons with the experiment infrastructure as well as with the surrounding rock. From these interactions, many different particles can arise. Among them, the most dangerous component is the neutral one, i.e. neutrons. They require particular attention, since neutrons cannot be easily vetoed and therefore are a limiting factor for such experiments. Given the presence of a high cosmogenic neutron-flux above ground, which represents the main background source for such a measurement above ground, the optimal location for such a measurement would be a shallow underground lab. A simulation study comparing two possible setup geometries to measure muon-induced neutrons is presented. Furthermore, the results of a non-optimized above ground experimental setup, by means of an eXtended Range germanium detector (XtRa), are presented.