No Arabic abstract
The Gas Amplifier Detector with Germanium Tagging (GADGET) is a new detection system devoted to the measurement of weak, low-energy $beta$-delayed proton decays relevant for nuclear astrophysics studies. It is comprised of a new gaseous Proton Detector equipped with a Micromegas readout for charged particle detection, surrounded by the existing Segmented Germanium Array (SeGA) for the high-resolution detection of the prompt $gamma$-rays. In this work we describe in detail for the first time the design, construction, and operation of the GADGET system, including performance of the Proton Detector. We present the results of a recent commissioning experiment performed with textsuperscript{25}Si beam at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL). GADGET provided low-background, low-energy $beta$-delayed proton detection with efficiency above 95%, and relatively good efficiency for proton-gamma coincidences (2.7% at 1.37 MeV).
A high-purity co-axial germanium detector has been calibrated in efficiency to a precision of about 0.15% over a wide energy range. High-precision scans of the detector crystal and gamma-ray source measurements have been compared to Monte-Carlo simulations to adjust the dimensions of a detector model. For this purpose, standard calibration sources and short-lived on-line sources have been used. The resulting efficiency calibration reaches the precision needed e.g. for branching ratio measurements of super-allowed beta decays for tests of the weak-interaction standard model.
We present data characterizing the performance of the first segmented, N-type Ge detector, isotopically enriched to 85% $^{76}$Ge. This detector, based on the Ortec PT6x2 design and referred to as SEGA (Segmented, Enriched Germanium Assembly), was developed as a possible prototype for neutrinoless double beta-decay measurements by the {sc Majorana} collaboration. We present some of the general characteristics (including bias potential, efficiency, leakage current, and integral cross-talk) for this detector in its temporary cryostat. We also present an analysis of the resolution of the detector, and demonstrate that for all but two segments there is at least one channel that reaches the {sc Majorana} resolution goal below 4 keV FWHM at 2039 keV, and all channels are below 4.5 keV FWHM.
Following work done in the energy region above 100 keV, the high-precision calibration of a co-axial high-purity germanium detector has been continued in the energy region below 100 keV. Previous measurements or Monte-Carlo simulations have been repeated with higher statistics and new source measurements have been added. A precision as in the high-energy part, i.e. an absolute precision for the detection efficiency of 0.2%, has been reached. The low-energy behaviour of the germanium detector was further scrutinized by studying the germanium X-ray escape probability for the detection of low-energy photons. In addition, one experimental point, a gamma ray at 2168 keV from the decay of 38K, has been included for the total-to-peak ratios agreeing well with simulations. The same gamma ray was also added for the single- and double-escape probabilities. Finally, the long term stability of the efficiency of the germanium detector was investigated by regularly measuring the full-energy peak efficiency with a precisely calibrated 60Co source and found to be perfectly stable over a period of 10 years.
We present an update on the development of techniques to adapt Single Molecule Fluorescent Imaging for the tagging of individual barium ions in high pressure xenon gas detectors, with the goal of realizing a background-free neutrinoless double beta decay technology. Previously reported progress is reviewed, including the recent demonstration of single barium dication sensitivity using SMFI. We then describe two important advances: 1) the development of a new class of custom barium sensing fluorescent dyes, which exhibit a significantly stronger response to barium than commercial calcium sensing compounds in aqueous solution; 2) the first demonstration of a dry-phase chemosensor for barium ions. This proceeding documents work presented at the 9th Symposium on Large TPCs for Rare Event Detection in Paris, France.
Large, high-purity, germanium (HPGe) detectors are needed for neutrinoless double-beta decay and dark matter experiments. Currently, large (> 4 inches in diameter) HPGe crystals can be grown at the University of South Dakota (USD). We verify that the quality of the grown crystals is sufficient for use in large detectors by fabricating and characterizing smaller HPGe detectors made from those crystals. We report the results from eight detectors fabricated over six months using crystals grown at USD. Amorphous germanium (a-Ge) contacts are used for blocking both electrons and holes. Two types of geometry were used to fabricate HPGe detectors. As a result, the fabrication process of small planar detectors at USD is discussed in great detail. The impact of the procedure and geometry on the detector performance was analyzed for eight detectors. We characterized the detectors by measuring the leakage current, capacitance, and energy resolution at 662 keV with a Cs-137 source. Four detectors show good performance, which indicates that crystals grown at USD are suitable for making HPGe detectors.