Characterization of a neutron gun with associated particle detection for low energy measurements of elastic scatterings in a dual phase time projection chamber

• Grant number: 25/07796-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Ivone Freire da Mota e Albuquerque
• Grantee: Niamh Fearon
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11489-7 - Dark matter searches, AP.ESP

Abstract

We propose to procure, mount and calibrate at IFUSP a source of low energy neutrons produced by deuteron-deuteron (DD) nuclear reactions inside a neutron gun. For the appropriate characterization of the beam, with proper time tagging and background rejection, associate particle imaging(API) techniques will be used, where the 0.82 MeV $^3$He nucleus, produced together with the 2.45 MeV neutron in a DD reaction, will also be detected. Understanding the background level inside the gun is paramount for the success of the measurements, therefore, optimizationwork will be performed to keep to a minimum thecontribution of bremstrahlung photons and additional charged particles electrostically accelerated inside the gun. An associated DAQ system will also be mounted, with its analogand digital parts, as well as the required software for data acquisition and processing. The final goal is to have a reliable neutron sourcereadily to be used as input flux for low energy elastic scatterings off a liquid scintilator inside the DarkSide dual-phase time projection chamber (TPC) at LNS. (AU)