Research and development of a helium-4 based solar neutrino detector. Progress report, 1 January 1991--30 June 1992
In this report we describe results of experiments to detect low energy radiation in superfluid helium. The ultimate aim of this research is to establish the feasibility of this technique for use in detecting neutrinos from the p-p and Be-7 reactions in the sun. In these experiments we have seen the first detection of 5.5 MeV {alpha} particles via evaporation from a bath of superfluid helium. An {alpha} particle excites phonons and rotons in the liquid helium, and these excitations are sufficiently energetic to evaporate helium atoms when they reach the free surface of the liquid. The evaporated atoms are detected calorimetrically by a thin wafer suspended above the liquid. The approximate overall efficiency of this process has been determined and we compare the experimental results with expectations. We have also been able to detect evaporation induced by a flux of gamma rays from a Cs-137 source. Preparations made for new experiments are also discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Brown Univ., Providence, RI (United States). Dept. of Physics
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-88ER40452
- OSTI ID:
- 10161063
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/40452-7; ON: DE92017390
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 30 Jun 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SOLAR NEUTRINOS
NEUTRINO DETECTION
HELIUM 4
SUPERFLUIDITY
PROGRESS REPORT
BERYLLIUM 7
PROTON-PROTON INTERACTIONS
662430
662320
440104
PROPERTIES OF LEPTONS
NEUTRINO INTERACTIONS
HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS INSTRUMENTATION