arXiv subjects

S. Teruel-Pardo

Publications and source records attributed to S. Teruel-Pardo.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Demonstrating topological identification capabilities of the NEXT experiment at low pressure

The NEXT-100 detector is a high-pressure xenon time projection chamber utilising electroluminescence amplification for sub-1% FWHM energy resolution and topological discrimination, two key attributes required to achieve the NEXT programme's overarching goal of detecting neutrinoless double beta decay ($0 νββ$). The detector has completed its first physics run at the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc (LSC), with xenon at a pressure of $\sim$4 bar. In this paper we report on the first validation of NEXT-100's topological performance and present the first topological analysis conducted at low pressure within the detector programme. A Monte Carlo study characterising the effects of pressure on track topology is presented, with qualitative agreement observed in data. We then demonstrate the topological discrimination capabilities for $0νββ$-like events from $^{208}$Tl decays using a cut-based method considered the 'baseline' in NEXT's topological programme, upon which all future analyses will improve. The analysis described applies a set of selection cuts before implementing a background discrimination algorithm that yields a reported signal efficiency for double-electron tracks and background acceptance for single-electron tracks of 75.6 $\pm$ 1.9 (stat.) $^{+3.4}_{-4.1}$ (syst.) % and 14.7 $\pm$ 0.4 (stat.) $^{+0.7}_{-0.8}$ (syst.) %. These results demonstrate the excellent topological discrimination capabilities of the NEXT-100 detector in line with NEXT-White, which achieved a signal efficiency and background acceptance of 71.6 $\pm$ 1.5 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.3 (syst.) % and 20.6 $\pm$ 0.4 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.3 (syst.) % respectively.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Electroluminescence Yield Measurements in Xenon Gas with the NEXT-DEMO++ Detector

The NEXT-DEMO++ detector, a high-pressure xenon gas time projection chamber serving as a prototype for the NEXT-100 experiment, was used to measure the electroluminescence (EL) yield as a function of reduced electric field ($E/p$) across pressures from 2.0 to 9.4 bar, utilizing the 41.5 keV de-excitation peak of $^{83m}$Kr. These measurements were made to examine the pressure dependence of the slope of the reduced EL yield $Y/p$, which has shown inconsistencies in the literature. The reduced yield was fitted with a linear model, revealing a modest ($\sim$5%) change in slope, beginning around 5 bar and increasing with pressure up to 9.4 bar.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Measurement of the scintillation resolution in liquid xenon and its impact for future segmented calorimeters

We report on a new measurement of the energy resolution that can be attained in liquid xenon when recording only the scintillation light. Our setup is optimized to maximize light collection, and uses state-of-the-art, high-PDE, VUV-sensitive silicon photomultipliers. We find a value of 3.7 $\pm$ 0.4% at 511 keV, once saturation effects are corrected for, a result close to the Poissonian resolution that we expect in our setup (2.8 $\pm$ 0.4% $σ$ at 511 keV). Our results in the intrinsic resolution (2.3 $\pm$ 0.8 %) are compatible, within errors, at 511 keV, with those found by theoretical estimations which have been standing for the last twenty years, 1.8%. Our work opens new possibilities for apparatus based on liquid xenon and using scintillation only. In particular it suggests that modular scintillation detectors using liquid xenon can be very competitive as building blocks in segmented calorimeters, with applications to Positron Emission Tomography technology.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

High Voltage Delivery and Distribution for the NEXT-100 Time Projection Chamber

A critical element in the realization of large liquid and gas time projection chambers (TPCs) is the delivery and distribution of high voltages into and around the detector. Such experiments require of order tens of kilovolts to enable electron drift over meter-scale distances. This paper describes the design and operation of the cathode feedthrough and high voltage distribution through the field cage of the NEXT-100 experiment, an underground TPC that will search for neutrinoless double beta decay $0νββ$. The feedthrough has been demonstrated to hold pressures up to 20~bar and sustain voltages as high as -65~kV, and the TPC is operating stably at its design high voltages. The system has been realized within the constraints of a stringent radiopurity budget and is now being used to execute a suite of sensitive double beta decay analyses.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Evaluation of Coincidence Time Resolution in a liquid xenon detector with silicon photomultipliers

This work explores the combination of liquid xenon as a scintillating medium and silicon photomultipliers as a readout in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for enhanced Time-Of-Flight resolution. We present the results of our first prototype optimized to maximize light collection using high-PDE, VUV-sensitive sensors and to minimize time fluctuations. We report a coincidence time resolution of 281 $\pm$ 2 ps FWHM, obtained using a $^{22}$Na calibration source. This result is competitive with the current state-of-the-art PET scanners and represents a significant step forward in the development of liquid xenon as a viable alternative to conventional scintillators in PET technology.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Monte Carlo characterization of PETALO, a full-body liquid xenon-based PET detector

New detector approaches in Positron Emission Tomography imaging will play an important role in reducing costs, lowering administered radiation doses, and improving overall performance. PETALO employs liquid xenon as the active scintillating medium and UV-sensitive silicon photomultipliers for scintillation readout. The scintillation time in liquid xenon is fast enough to register time-of-flight information for each detected coincidence, and sufficient scintillation is produced with low enough fluctuations to obtain good energy resolution. The present simulation study examines a full-body-sized PETALO detector and evaluates its potential performance in PET image reconstruction.

physics.ins-det↗