Sensitivity Models for [Beta]+/EC Discovery in Large-Volume Scintillation Detectors
Author(s)
Graham, Eleanor(Eleanor L.)
Download1191824347-MIT.pdf (1.389Mb)
Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics.
Advisor
Lindley Winslow.
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In this thesis, we consider the [Beta]+/EC decay of 124Xe and take the first steps towards characterizing a hypothetical experiment to detect it, making use of techniques traditionally employed in neutrinoless double beta decay experiments. We use a simulated large-volume scintillation detector modeled on the Super-Kamiokande experiment, fully implementing this detector in RAT/Geant4. This allows us to extract authentic spectra for the experimental signature of the [Beta]+/EC decay in 124Xe, paving the way for future sensitivity studies. We also consider the relevance of next-generation techniques for background discrimination, specifically particle identification based on counting Cherenkov photons. We find that discrimination between [Beta] and [Beta] particles is readily possible in experiments run at the 1.25 MeV energy scale and also see evidence for the possibility of distinguishing between [Beta]+ and [Beta]- particles via their Cherenkov signatures
Description
Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, 2020 In title on title page, "[Beta]" is the Greek letter. Cataloged from the official PDF of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (pages 47-49).
Date issued
2020Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of PhysicsPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Physics.