Segmented Scintillation Detectors for Above Ground Antineutrino Detection

by Dr Jim Lund (Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore CA)

Friday Mar 13, 2009, 3:30 PM → 5:00 PM Pacific/Honolulu

WAT 417 Library (University of Hawai'i, Manoa)

Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have been jointly investigating the use of anti-neutrinos to monitor commercial power reactors. Our initial results have been promising but they have been conducted at an underground location (the "tendon gallery") located at about 10 meter water equivalent (MWE) depth. We are now investigating the design of anti-neutrino detectors that will operate at above ground locations (0 MWE). Above ground locations are more generally available and would allow widespread deployment of antineutrino detectors at virtually all commercial reactors, but have much higher backgrounds. Our collaboration is investigating several design alternatives for above-ground anti-neutrino detectors. In my talk, I will describe our current thinking around one of these alternatives: a segmented scintillation detector. I will present the tradeoffs amongst various scintillator designs and detail my personal favorite design alternative.
Organizer: J.G. Learned