Evaluation of light collection from highly scattering media using wavelength-shifting fibers

Journal Article · 24 January 2023 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2023.168085 · OSTI ID:1989447

Wilhelm, Andrew S.  ^[1]; Wendel, Garrett  ^[2]; Collins, Brandon ^[3]; Cowen, Doug  ^[2]; Jovanovic, Igor  ^[1]

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1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
2. Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA (United States)
3. Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI (United States)

Opaque scintillators are designed to have a short scattering length such that scintillation photons are probabilistically confined to a small region of space about their origin. The benefit of this feature is that information on the interaction event topology can be recorded with greater fidelity than in traditional highly transparent media with sensors at large distances from the light production region. Opaque scintillator detectors rely on wavelength-shifting fibers to extract the scintillation light; however, the efficiency of light collection has not yet been directly measured in experiment. We measured the efficiency of light collection as a function of the optical parameters of an opaque liquid and the distance from the origin of the light to the fiber. We use the experimental data to validate a Monte Carlo model of light transport and collection and discuss a simple diffusion model that reproduces the results of Monte Carlo simulation with high fidelity. Furthermore, this combination of validated models has the potential for use in predictions of performance in various designs of future opaque scintillator detectors such as LiquidO.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003920
• OSTI ID: 1989447
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1923117
• Journal Information: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 1049; ISSN 0168-9002
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English