Speaker
Mr
Caleb Roecker
(University California Berkeley)
Description
Fast neutrons can be created by muogenic processes and produce a depth dependent background for rare-event neutral particle detectors. Muogenic fast neutrons can have energies extending past several hundred MeV. Muons that do not pass through but near the active shielding of these detectors are particularly problematic since they may produce high energy neutrons capable of penetrating the detector shielding. At all but the most shallow depths (>200 meter water equivalent (m.w.e.)) the fast neutron background lacks consensus on the spectrum and rate anti-coincident from the initiating muon. A fast neutron spectrometer has been constructed and deployed to measure the fast neutron background above 50 MeV at the Kimballton Underground Research Facility (KURF). The detector uses a lead-based spallation amplifier to convert single fast neutrons into multiple lower energy secondary neutrons. The secondary neutron signal is used to un-fold the incident neutron energy. Measurements have been completed and preliminary results obtained at 380 and 600 m.w.e. Currently the detector is operating at the 1450 m.w.e. depth at KURF.
Summary
See attached summary with figures
Primary author
Mr
Caleb Roecker
(University California Berkeley)
Co-authors
Dr
Belkis Cabrera-Palmer
(Sandia National Lab)
Mr
Mark Gerling
(Sandia National Lab)
Dr
Melinda Sweany
(Sandia National Lab)
Dr
Peter Marleau
(Sandia National Lab)
