Quality Assurance Testing, and Sensitivity Studies for the SNO+ Experment
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Date
Authors
Bartlett, Daniel
Keyword
SNO+ , Neutrino , Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay
Abstract
For the SNO+ experiment's search for neutrinoless double beta decay, radioactive background reduction and understanding of detector systematics are key. Indirect background measurements and energy systematics have been studied. A quality assurance testing system was created and implemented. The system detects the oxygen contamination of liquid scintillator as an indirect measurement of radon-222 contamination from air exposure during transport. The technique can measure ppm order oxygen contamination with a resolution of ~60ppm. In addition, the impact of non-
gaussian tails in the energy response function on the half-life limit for neutrinoless beta decay was studied. If the tails were not applied to the energy response function the sensitivity is expected to be reduced by 0.5x10^26y. If the tails are applied to the response function, the half-life limit would be approximately 1.7x10^26y after one live year of data. For tellurium to be loaded in the detector, an organometallic complex is formed. The impact of the complex on acrylic was studied with the engineer of record approving the use of tellurium loaded scintillator for ten years with minimal
deterioration expected.