arXiv subjects

A. Baldoni

Publications and source records attributed to A. Baldoni.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Eos detector: a demonstrator of hybrid optical detection technology

Eos is an R&D testbed for hybrid detector technologies, featuring state-of-the-art sub-ns photosensors, the first implementation of dichroicons in a large-scale demonstrator, and the deployment of novel detection media such as water-based liquid scintillator (WbLS). By separating Cherenkov and scintillation light, Eos leverages the benefits of both to explore the potential of next-generation neutrino technologies. An extensive radioactive source calibration program enables the characterization of position, direction, and energy reconstruction performance of a variety of target materials. Furthermore, Eos will provide data to refine optical models and inform the development and simulation of future neutrino experiments. This paper describes the as-built design and data-taking plan of Eos, outlining its scientific motivations and role in the development of future detector technologies.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Performance of the Eos detector with water

In this manuscript we present the first results from Eos, a four tonne optical detector located at the University of California, Berkeley. The primary goal of Eos is to demonstrate the performance capabilities of scintillation-based, 'hybrid' detector technology for future neutrino detectors. The data presented were collected while both the inner target vessel and the outer buffer vessel were filled with water. The water target acts as a well-understood medium that produces only Cherenkov light, which can be used to calibrate and develop the detector model and reconstruction algorithms prior to the deployment of scintillating material. Using deployed optical and radioactive calibration sources, a series of detailed detector calibrations are performed. These enable a suite of tests for various reconstruction algorithms. Simulations that use calibrated models are compared with the data across a variety of different types of calibration sources, source positions, and rotations.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Design, construction, and operation of a 30-ton Water-based Liquid scintillator detector at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Water-based Liquid Scintillator (WbLS) was proposed over a decade ago as a novel detector medium that might allow the separation and tuning of the relative ratio of the Cherenkov and scintillation signals. A detector employing this technology could support large-scale neutrino detection over both the GeV and MeV energy regimes, while its metal-loading capability could provide an effective means of neutron tagging. WbLS is attractive for two reasons. It can be deployed in very large detectors. It also allows in-situ tuning of the scintillator concentration, and hence the ratio of Cherenkov to scintillation light. Neither pure water Cherenkov detectors nor conventional liquid scintillator detectors offer this capability. At Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), two prototypes have been built for understanding WbLS properties and stability, with masses of 1-ton and 30-ton, respectively. We present here the 30-ton prototype detector design, installation, and initial operation including the real-time observation of a transient optical response during the staged scintillator injection. Results from the analysis of data collected in the two detectors will follow in separate publications.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of Light Yield Response of Gd-compatible Water-based Liquid Scintillator with the Brookhaven 1-ton testbed

The Water-based Liquid Scintillator (WbLS) enables hybrid detection by combining scintillation and Cherenkov signals, providing superior event reconstruction capabilities compared to conventional neutrino detectors. We measured the light yield of Gd-compatible WbLS at varying concentrations from 0.35\% to 1\% by mass, using cosmic-ray muons in a 1-ton scale detector at BNL. The light yield is measured as (69.16 $\pm$ 6.92) ph / MeV at 0.35\% concentration, which increased to (87.32 $\pm$ 8.73) ph / MeV at 1\%. These results establish a quantitative basis for optimizing future WbLS-based detectors in neutrino physics.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Design, construction, and operation of a 1-ton Water-based Liquid scintillator detector at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Water-based liquid scintillators (WbLS) are attractive neutrino detector materials because they allow us to tune the ratio of the Cherenkov and scintillation signals. Using WbLS large-scale neutrino experiments can benefit from both directional reconstruction and enhanced low-energy efficiency. Furthermore, broadening the science capability of such materials by metal doping may be better suited for water based liquid scintillators. We recently constructed and commissioned a 1-ton WbLS detector with good photosensor coverage and a capable data acquisition system. We intend to use this flexible detector system as a testbed for WbLS R&D. In this paper we give an overview of the 1-ton system and provide some early analysis results.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

EOS: a demonstrator of hybrid optical detector technology

EOS is a technology demonstrator, designed to explore the capabilities of hybrid event detection technology, leveraging both Cherenkov and scintillation light simultaneously. With a fiducial mass of four tons, EOS is designed to operate in a high-precision regime, with sufficient size to utilize time-of-flight information for full event reconstruction, flexibility to demonstrate a range of cutting edge technologies, and simplicity of design to facilitate potential future deployment at alternative sites. Results from EOS can inform the design of future neutrino detectors for both fundamental physics and nonproliferation applications.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

A Call to Arms Control: Synergies between Nonproliferation Applications of Neutrino Detectors and Large-Scale Fundamental Neutrino Physics Experiments

The High Energy Physics community can benefit from a natural synergy in research activities into next-generation large-scale water and scintillator neutrino detectors, now being studied for remote reactor monitoring, discovery and exclusion applications in cooperative nonproliferation contexts. Since approximately 2010, US nonproliferation researchers, supported by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), have been studying a range of possible applications of relatively large (100 ton) to very large (hundreds of kiloton) water and scintillator neutrino detectors. In parallel, the fundamental physics community has been developing detectors at similar scales and with similar design features for a range of high-priority physics topics, primarily in fundamental neutrino physics. These topics include neutrino oscillation studies at beams and reactors, solar, and geological neutrino measurements, supernova studies, and others. Examples of ongoing synergistic work at U.S. national laboratories and universities include prototype gadolinium-doped water and water-based and opaque scintillator test-beds and demonstrators, extensive testing and industry partnerships related to large area fast position-sensitive photomultiplier tubes, and the development of concepts for a possible underground kiloton-scale water-based detector for reactor monitoring and technology demonstrations. Some opportunities for engagement between the two communities include bi-annual Applied Antineutrino Physics conferences, collaboration with U.S. National Laboratories engaging in this research, and occasional NNSA funding opportunities supporting a blend of nonproliferation and basic science R&D, directed at the U.S. academic community.

physics.ins-det↗