4 research outputs found
Multi-layer scintillation detector for the MOON double beta decay experiment: Scintillation photon responses studied by a prototype detector MOON-1
An ensemble of multi-layer scintillators is discussed as an option of the
high-sensitivity detector Mo Observatory Of Neutrinos (MOON) for spectroscopic
measurements of neutrino-less double beta decays. A prototype detector MOON-1,
which consists of 6 layer plastic-scintillator plates, was built to study the
sensitivity of the MOON-type detector. The scintillation photon collection and
the energy resolution, which are key elements for the high-sensitivity
experiments, are found to be 1835+/-30 photo-electrons for 976 keV electrons
and sigma = 2.9+/-0.1% (dE/E = 6.8+/-0.3 % in FWHM) at the Qbb ~ 3 MeV region,
respectively. The multi-layer plastic-scintillator structure with good energy
resolution as well as good background suppression of beta-gamma rays is crucial
for the MOON-type detector to achieve the inverted hierarchy neutrino mass
sensitivity.Comment: 8 pages, 16 figures, submitted to Nucl.Instrum.Met