The detection of low energy neutrons and gamma-rays by superfluid He-3, a potential dark matter detector

Bradley, D.I. and Follows, MR and Hayes, WM and Sloan, T (1996) The detection of low energy neutrons and gamma-rays by superfluid He-3, a potential dark matter detector. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 370 (1). pp. 141-143. ISSN 0168-9002

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Abstract

We have demonstrated in a pilot study using an existing experiment that superfluid He-3 at 100 mu K can be used as a nuclear recoil detector sensitive to neutron and gamma-ray interactions depositing energies down to a few hundred eV. The deposited energy is converted to He-3 quasiparticles which are detected by their effect on a vibrating wire resonator in the liquid. The system can be calibrated independently using a second vibrating wire as a heater but a convenient fixed point is provided by the exothermic reaction n + He-3(2) = p + H-3(1) + 764 keV. Given the great potential for improvement we propose that the system might make a sensitive WIMP detector.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3100/3105
Subjects:
?? instrumentationnuclear and high energy physics ??
ID Code:
65441
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
24 Jun 2013 15:08
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 14:03