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Title: Gamma-induced background in the KATRIN main spectrometer

Journal Article · · European Physical Journal. C, Particles and Fields
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The KATRIN experiment aims to measure the effective electron antineutrino mass $$$$m_{\overline{\nu }_e}$$$$ m ν ¯ e with a sensitivity of $$$${0.2}\,{\hbox {eV}/\hbox {c}^2}$$$$ 0.2 eV / c 2 using a gaseous tritium source combined with the MAC-E filter technique. A low background rate is crucial to achieving the proposed sensitivity, and dedicated measurements have been performed to study possible sources of background electrons. In this work, we test the hypothesis that gamma radiation from external radioactive sources significantly increases the rate of background events created in the main spectrometer (MS) and observed in the focal-plane detector. Using detailed simulations of the gamma flux in the experimental hall, combined with a series of experimental tests that artificially increased or decreased the local gamma flux to the MS, we set an upper limit of $$$${0.006}\,{\hbox {count}/\hbox {s}}$$$$ 0.006 count / s  (90% C.L.) from this mechanism. Our results indicate the effectiveness of the electrostatic and magnetic shielding used to block secondary electrons emitted from the inner surface of the MS.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States); University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP); Helmholtz Association (HGF)
Contributing Organization:
KATRIN Collaboration
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; FG02-94ER40818; FG02-97ER41020; FG02-97ER41033; FG02-97ER41041; SC0004036; SC0011091; SC0019304; SC0010118; 5A17PDA; 05A17PM3; 05A17PX3; 05A17VK2; 05A17WO3; VH-NG-1055
OSTI ID:
1619368
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1650074; OSTI ID: 1658855; OSTI ID: 1658950; OSTI ID: 1755501
Journal Information:
European Physical Journal. C, Particles and Fields, Journal Name: European Physical Journal. C, Particles and Fields Vol. 79 Journal Issue: 9; ISSN 1434-6044
Publisher:
SpringerCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Germany
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 7 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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