arXiv subjects

Jonathan Folkerts

Publications and source records attributed to Jonathan Folkerts.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Solar Neutrino and Astro-Particle PhYsics (SNAPPY) CubeSat Development

The SNAPPY CubeSat, which was launched May 3, 2026, will demonstrate and space qualify the nuSol neutrino-detection technology. The nuSol technology detects solar neutrinos using a gallium isotope which decays by emitting two particles spaced apart in time; this allows differentiating neutrino events from cosmic rays. In the NIAC Phase II project review in 2021, concept and science were determined to be feasible; however, two precursor studies were recommended before pursuing a full mission study. These studies were to characterize the true deep-space background for the detector's gallium double-pulse signal and to collect a statistically significant number of double-pulse events demonstrating that fast electronics can reliably select and analyze this signal. To test double-pulse signals in space, a NIAC Phase III funded building a 3U CubeSat carrying a 0.1-kg gallium-aluminum-gadolinium-garnet detector housed within an active veto array and shielding. Because the detector requires deep-space-like conditions, the CubeSat is designed for a polar low-Earth orbit at 450 km or higher altitude, collecting data over the Earth's poles above the Van Allen belts. The detector is highly sensitive, with roughly 7-percent energy resolution, with active veto shielding and passive shielding using a patented tungsten-powder and epoxy mixture that disintegrates upon atmospheric reentry. SNAPPY enables additional science during the extended mission phase of year two operations. These include measurements of solar wind particle density and energy spectra with particle identification of electrons, protons, and alpha particles; detection of very low-energy gamma rays from galactic gamma-ray bursts without directionality.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

SNAPPY CubeSat Control Script Generation and Data File Processing

This is a document discussing the creation and usage of a server system dedicated to retrieving, processing, and storing data generated from the Solar Neutrino and Astro-Particle PhYsics (SNAPPY) CubeSat by the nuSOL (Neutrino Solar Orbiting Laboratory) Project. On a traditional desktop computer with CERN's ROOT and PostgreSQL software installed, and with a file system on two mirrored drives, it is possible to automatically process and organize incoming data, along with keeping a database to record each incoming file along with a command record. In addition to this, an application was created to provide a Graphical User Interface to assist with creating commands to communicate with the CubeSat. With that said, there are still plenty of plans to improve the software, mainly providing an automatic emailing system to notify team members when they are not around the server.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

Segment Geometry Optimization and Prototype Studies of a Multi-Coincidence GAGG Solar Neutrino Detector

A GAGG detector capable of dissecting a multi-coincidence solar neutrino interaction on ${}^{71}$Ga is under development for potential space-based applications. We identify three distinct detection signatures when ${}^{71}$Ge$^*$ is produced, two of which are significantly delayed in time and could be detected within a single large GAGG volume. Further optimizations can be made by optically isolating smaller segments of GAGG to maximize the probability of a spatial separation between the prompt/delayed signals. We construct and test prototype GAGG detectors capable of sub 7% energy resolution @ ${}^{137}$Cs and reliable detection of spatially-separated ${}^{57}$Co double-pulse decays.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measuring the Sun's Core with Neutrino Measurements: A Solar Orbiter Concept

Traditional neutrino detectors are built deep underground to reduce backgrounds. The neutrino solar orbiting laboratory ($\nu$SOL) collaboration has been developing a concept to improve neutrino measurement not with a larger detector underground, but instead we use the nuclear excitation from the neutrino interaction to produce a multi-pulse signal. Cerium-doped gadolinium aluminum gallium garnet (GAGG) is a new scintillator which has 23\% gallium by mass. When a neutrino interacts with the GAGG, about 10\% of the time it will be in an excited nuclear state rather than in the base energy level. A segmented detector looking for the pulses separated by distance and time has the potential to greatly limit background noise from solar wind, cosmic rays, and galactic gamma rays. A polar LEO CubeSat mission is currently in development to measure the GCR backgrounds outside the Van Allen Belts. In this summary of my presentation I will quickly lay the groundwork of the interaction of interest and what a solar orbiter's detector could look like. I will then explore what measurements a near-solar orbiter could make. With these measurements in mind, I will discuss the feasibility of a direct observation of the core's shape, and I will discuss how a solar orbiter's measurements could improve a Standard Solar Model search and compare that measurement with the current global neutrino measurements. I will conclude with a discussion of what these observables could tell us about the solar interior.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

New methods of neutrino and anti-neutrino detection from 0.115 to 105 MeV

We have developed a neutrino detector with threshold energies from ~0.115 to 105 MeV in a clean detection mode almost completely void of accidental backgrounds. It was initially developed for the NASA $\nu$SOL project to put a solar neutrino detector very close to the Sun with 1,000 to 10,000 times higher solar neutrino flux than on Earth. Similar interactions have been found for anti-neutrinos, which were initially intended for Beta decay neutrinos from reactors, geological sources, or for nuclear security applications. These techniques work at the 1 to 100 MeV region for neutrinos from the ORNL Spallation Neutron Source or low energy accelerator neutrino and anti-neutrino production targets less than $\sim$100 MeV. The identification process is clean, with a double pulse detection signature within a time window between the first interaction producing the conversion electron or positron and the secondary gamma emission 100 ns to ~1 $\mu$s, which removes most accidental backgrounds. These new modes for neutrino and anti-neutrino detection of low energy neutrinos and anti-neutrinos could allow improvements to neutrino interaction measurements from an accelerator beam on a target.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Gamma Ray Detection Efficiency of GAGG Crystal Scintillator Using Three Tagged Gamma Ray Techniques

A CubeSat with a prototype scintillating detector with a sensitive volume of GAGG crystal is being developed with a possible launch date of 2025. Its purpose is to characterize the background signals that mimic the neutrino interaction that the nuSOL (Neutrino Solar Orbiting Laboratory) team is looking for. An important part of the characterization of the backgrounds and the expected real signal is understanding the gamma ray detection efficiency of the prototype detector when compared to simulations performed in Geant4. To this end we have used three techniques to do a measurement of the gamma ray efficiency compared to simulation. The first is using electron capture sources that emit an X-ray before prompt emission of a de-excitation gamma ray, specifically Zn-65 and Mn-54. The second is using a beta + decay source wherein a positron annihilates on an atomic shell electron producing two back-to-back 511 keV gammas followed promptly by a de-excitation gamma, specifically Na-22. The third is using a gamma cascade of two near-simultaneous de-excitation gammas from the same nucleus, specifically from Co-60 decay.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Method to Reduce Noise for Measurement of $^7$Be and $^8$B Solar Neutrinos on Gallium-71

Gallium solar neutrino experiments have historically used radiochemical counting to determine the event rate. A detector which directly measures the ejected electron and de-excitation gamma could reduce background counting rates by way of a double-pulse technique. We find this reduction could be as large as 10 orders of magnitude in a 100 ton detector. In this process, the detector measures the excited nuclear final state of the germanium after an electron neutrino interacts with gallium nucleus through the charged-current interaction. This results in a loss of approximately 90\% of the total neutrino signal, but higher energy processes are less suppressed. The neutrinos resulting from this higher energy selection are predominantly from the {}$^8$B and {}$^7$Be solar neutrino fluxes.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

New lower background and higher rate technique for anti-neutrino detection using Tungsten 183 Isotope

Low energy anti-neutrinos detected from reactors or other sources have typically used the conversion of an anti-neutrino on Hydrogen, producing a positron and a free neutron. This neutron is subsequently captured on a secondary element with a large neutron capture cross section such as gadolinium or cadmium. We have studied the anti-neutrino conversion and suggest other elements that have a comparable cross section for anti-neutrino reactions. With most neutron captures on gadolinium, it is possible to get two or three delayed gamma signals of known energy to occur. Experiments like ATLAS can make measurements with timing on the order of 25 ns. With electronics like these, this leads to the possibility of having a triple delayed coincidence using the positron annihilation on atomic shell electrons as the starting signal. We have also found an isotope of tungsten, $^{183}$W that offers a large anti-neutrino interaction cross section of $1.19 \times 10^{-46}$ m$^2$ and an anti-neutrino threshold energy for the production of the ground state at 2.094 MeV and the production of the first excited state at 2.167 MeV. This reaction makes a nuclear m1 excited state of $^{183}$Ta$^*$ that emits a signature secondary gamma pulse of 73 keV with a 106 ns half-life. This offers a new delayed coincidence technique that can be used to identify anti-neutrinos with lower background noise. This allows for less shielding than required for modern inverse beta decay detectors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Design and Testing of a 3U CubeSat to Test the In-situ Vetoing for the $ν$SOL Solar Neutrino Detector

For years, earth-based neutrino detectors have been run and operated to detect the elusive neutrino. These have historically been enormous underground detectors. The neutrino Solar Orbiting Laboratory ($ν$SOL) project is working to design a technical demonstration to show that a much smaller neutrino detector can be operated in near-solar environments for a future spaceflight mission. At a closest approach of 3 solar radii, there is a ten thousand-fold increase in the neutrino flux. This would allow a 100 kg payload to be the equivalent of a 1 kTon earth-based payload, larger than the first neutrino experiment in the Homestake mine. As a continuing step towards this goal, the $ν$SOL project will fly a 3U CubeSat for testing the detector's passive shielding design, active vetoing system in a space environment, and the rate of false double-pulse signals in a space environment. I go into technical detail about the characterization of the central detector in simuo and in the lab. The first test is a characterization of energy resolution and calibration through the use of radioactive sources. We will continue testing by measuring the veto success rate with ground-level cosmic rays. For the final ground testing, we will use the Fermilab test beam to characterize the central detector and veto performance at specific particle energies. Veto performance on the previous detector design has been promising, and we were able to veto a high percentage of all particles that can penetrate the passive shielding of the satellite. These laboratory results and simulations of the CubeSat detector design will raise the technological readiness level of the planned technological demonstrator flight to the sun, and the current level of shielding performance is promising for a successful CubeSat test flight.

astro-ph.IM↗