Calibration of liquid argon and neon detectors with \(^{83}Kr^m\)

We report results from tests of \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\), as a calibration source in liquid argon and liquid neon. \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\) atoms are produced in the decay of \(^{83}\)Rb, and a clear \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\) scintillation peak at 41.5 keV appears in both liquids when fil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2009-11
Main Authors: Lippincott, W H, Cahn, S B, Gastler, D, Kastens, L W, Kearns, E, McKinsey, D N, Nikkel, J A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Argon
Calibration
Chemical industry
Dark matter
Detectors
Liquid neon
Neon
Photoelectrons
Production planning
Scintillation
Shutdowns
Solar neutrinos
Zeolites
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Summary:We report results from tests of \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\), as a calibration source in liquid argon and liquid neon. \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\) atoms are produced in the decay of \(^{83}\)Rb, and a clear \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\) scintillation peak at 41.5 keV appears in both liquids when filling our detector through a piece of zeolite coated with \(^{83}\)Rb. Based on this scintillation peak, we observe 6.0 photoelectrons/keV in liquid argon with a resolution of 6% (\(\sigma\)/E) and 3.0 photoelectrons/keV in liquid neon with a resolution of 19% (\(\sigma\)/E). The observed peak intensity subsequently decays with the \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\) half-life after stopping the fill, and we find evidence that the spatial location of \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\) atoms in the chamber can be resolved. \(^{83}\)Kr\(^{\mathrm{m}}\) will be a useful calibration source for liquid argon and neon dark matter and solar neutrino detectors.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.0911.5453