arXiv subjects

C. Tuvé

Publications and source records attributed to C. Tuvé.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Ultra-trace analysis of 40K in organic liquid scintillators

Rare-event searches require exceptionally low background levels, motivating the development of increasingly sophisticated screening methods to push sensitivity limits. Liquid scintillators are particularly attractive detector media due to their intrinsic radiopurity and the ability to scale to large target masses. In this work, we present a screening strategy capable of measuring ultra-trace concentrations of $^{40}\text{K}$ with sensitivities below $10^{-15}$g/g. The method combines neutron activation analysis with a dedicated radiochemical treatment, followed by low-background HPGe gamma spectroscopy. Using this approach, we achieved a minimum detectable concentration of $2.9\cdot10^{-16}$g/g for $^{40}\text{K}$, placing this technique among the most sensitive currently available.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Fluorescence emission of the JUNO liquid scintillator

JUNO is a huge neutrino detector that will use 20 kton of organic liquid scintillator as its detection medium. The scintillator is a mixture of linear alkyl benzene (LAB), 2.5 g/L of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) and 3 mg/L of 1,4-Bis(2-methylstyryl)benzene (Bis-MSB). The main goal of JUNO is to determine the Neutrino Mass Ordering [1, 2, 3]. In order to achieve this purpose, good energy and position reconstruction is required, hence a complete understanding of the optical characteristics of the liquid scintillator is mandatory. In this paper we present the measurements on the JUNO scintillator emission spectrum, absorption length and fluorescence time distribution performed respectively with a spectrofluorimeter, a spectrophotometer and a custom made setup

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Interpretable machine learning approach for electron antineutrino selection in a large liquid scintillator detector

Several neutrino detectors, KamLAND, Daya Bay, Double Chooz, RENO, and the forthcoming large-scale JUNO, rely on liquid scintillator to detect reactor antineutrino interactions. In this context, inverse beta decay represents the golden channel for antineutrino detection, providing a pair of correlated events, thus a strong experimental signature to distinguish the signal from a variety of backgrounds. However, given the low cross-section of antineutrino interactions, the development of a powerful event selection algorithm becomes imperative to achieve effective discrimination between signal and backgrounds. In this study, we introduce a machine learning (ML) model to achieve this goal: a fully connected neural network as a powerful signal-background discriminator for a large liquid scintillator detector. We demonstrate, using the JUNO detector as an example, that, despite the already high efficiency of a cut-based approach, the presented ML model can further improve the overall event selection efficiency. Moreover, it allows for the retention of signal events at the detector edges that would otherwise be rejected because of the overwhelming amount of background events in that region. We also present the first interpretable analysis of the ML approach for event selection in reactor neutrino experiments. This method provides insights into the decision-making process of the model and offers valuable information for improving and updating traditional event selection approaches.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Refractive index in the JUNO liquid scintillator

In the field of rare event physics, it is common to have huge masses of organic liquid scintillator as detection medium. In particular, they are widely used to study neutrino properties or astrophysical neutrinos. Thanks to its safety properties (such as low toxicity and high flash point) and easy scalability, linear alkyl benzene is the most common solvent used to produce liquid scintillators for large mass experiments. The knowledge of the refractive index is a pivotal point to understand the detector response, as this quantity (and its wavelength dependence) affects the Cherenkov radiation and photon propagation in the medium. In this paper, we report the measurement of the refractive index of the JUNO liquid scintillator between 260-1064 nm performed with two different methods (an ellipsometer and a refractometer), with a sub percent level precision. In addition, we used an interferometer to measure the group velocity in the JUNO liquid scintillator and verify the expected value derived from the refractive index measurements.

physics.ins-det↗