arXiv subjects

N. Mont-Geli

Publications and source records attributed to N. Mont-Geli.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Measurement of the ambient neutron flux and spectral distribution at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory

We report on the measurement of the ambient neutron flux and its energy distribution over a broad range of neutron energies, conducted in Hall A of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory using the High Efficiency Neutron Spectrometry Array (HENSA), with a total livetime of 248 days. In particular, we obtained a thermal neutron flux of $3.4(2) \times 10^{-6}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ and a total energy-integrated flux of $14.8(2) \times 10^{-6}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$. This work represents the first long-term measurement of the ambient neutron flux that includes a full spectral characterization across a wide energy interval (from $10^{-4}$ eV to 20 MeV), performed in an underground laboratory to date. The results are relevant for rare-event search experiments located underground, ranging from nuclear astrophysics to astroparticle physics.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Status of the HENSA collaboration at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory: results from two years of measurement of the neutron flux in hall B

Thiswork deals with the characterization of the neutron flux in hall B of the CanfrancUnderground Laboratory (LSC) employing the High Efficiency Neutron Spectrometry Array (HENSA). The ultimate goal of this measurement is to set a limit on the corresponding effects of the neutron flux in the background of the ANAIS-112 experiment. The preliminary neutron counting rates of two years of measurement are reported. Various data analysis techniques, including pulse shape discrimination, are discussed. The first results on the spectral reconstruction of the neutron flux are also presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Long-term evolution of the neutron rate at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory

We report results on the long-term variation of the neutron counting rate at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory, of importance for several low-background experiments installed there, including rare-event searches. The measurement campaign was performed employing the High Efficiency Neutron Spectrometry Array (HENSA) mounted in Hall A and lasted 412 live days. The present study is the first long-term measurement of the neutron rate with sensitivity over a wide range of neutron energies (from thermal up to 0.1 GeV and beyond) performed in any underground laboratory so far. Data on the environmental variables inside the experimental hall (radon concentration, air temperature, air pressure and humidity) were also acquired during all the measurement campaign. We have investigated for the first time the evolution of the neutron rate for different energies of the neutrons and its correlation with the ambient variables.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Efficiency calibration of the BRIKEN detector: the world largest counter for beta-delayed neutrons

Beta-delayed neutron emission plays a fundamental role in the explosive nucleosynthesis of elements heavier than iron by the rapid neutron capture (r-process). The most ambitious project related to beta-delayed neutron detection of very exotic nuclei is carried out by the BRIKEN collaboration at RIKEN Nishima Center. In this work, a brief description of the BRIKEN project is presented. A methodology for the precise characterization of the BRIKEN neutron counter efficiency, for fast neutrons, using an uncalibrated 252Cf neutron source is described. The method relies on the well-known neutron multiplicity distribution of such source and correlation counting method. A detailed experimental study with the BRIKEN neutron counter and a 252 Cf neutron source at the RIKEN Nishina center is presented. The result of this work is the determination of the neutron detection efficiency of the BRIKEN neutron counter with high accuracy.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Measurement of the neutron flux at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory with HENSA

We have performed a long-term measurement of the neutron flux with the High Efficiency Neutron Spectrometry Array HENSA in the Hall A of the Canfranc Underground Laboratory. The Hall A measurement campaign lasted from October 2019 to March 2021, demonstrating an excellent stability of the HENSA setup. Preliminary results on the neutron flux from this campaign are presented for the first time. In Phase 1 (113 live days) a total neutron flux of 1.66(2) $\times$10$^{-5}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ is obtained. Our results are in good agreement with those from our previous shorter measurement where a reduced experimental setup was employed.

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