The Energy Resolution of the SNO+ Detector in Liquid Scintillator Phase and Implications for Double Beta Sensitivity
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Authors
Dehghani, Rayhaneh
Date
2024-09-05
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
SNO+ , Neutrinoless double beta decay
Alternative Title
Abstract
SNO+ is a multi-purpose liquid scintillator detector that ultimately aims to detect the
hypothesized neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ) through loading of 130Te as the
target isotope. To this day the discovery of the neutrino mass and neutrino oscillations
is the only proof of physics beyond the Standard Model. The detection of the rare
0νββ decay would revolutionize the field of physics and alter our understanding of the
world. To perform such an experiment, the background rates must be extremely low
in order to carry out the search for this signal in its energy region-of-interest. SNO+
is situated 2 km underground, in Creighton mine, Sudbury, ON. naturally shielded
from cosmic radiation that otherwise would be extremely challenging to get rid of.
One of the dominant systematic uncertainties in double beta decay analysis is expected
to be the understanding of the energy resolution of the detector. In order to
quantify whether the current understanding of the energy resolution is sufficient, a
pure selection of mono-energetic 214Po events was collected utilizing 214Bi-214Po coincidences.
A comparison of data and Monte Carlo simulation of the 214Po events yielded
an estimate of the energy resolution systematic, which was then applied in sensitivity
studies using fake datasets to evaluate its impact on the neutrinoless double beta
decay sensitivity. Based on the best knowledge of the background in the detector in
the liquid scintillator phase, this analysis developed a background model concerning
the most contributing background sources in the region-of-interest for 0νββ decay to
investigate the sensitivity levels of SNO+ at the current stage. These studies reveal
that continued improvement in our understanding of the energy resolution is required.
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Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International