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Antineutrinos are elementary particles emitted by nuclear reactions, which take place in the interior of the Sun and in nuclear power reactors. Antineutrinos are ghostlike particles. Passing through water, the mean distance before undergoing a reaction would be in the order of 10 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.Existing antineutrino detectors (for instance the Super-Kamiokande, SNOLAB) are therefore huge, comprising typically of at least several tens of tons of material. This material is commonly toxic, flammable and expensive. Additionally the ghostlike character makes antineutrinos generated in power reactors a probe which virtually can not be manipulated.
Because of the latter and due to mobility, safety and cost issues, there is a growing demand for compact, robust and nonhazardous antineutrino detection systems. The objective of the INCAS³ workshop is to boost research needed for further development to compact and safe antineutrino detectors, obviously in high demand by science and society. Recent developments show interesting possibilities for improving current techniques and setting up new detector concepts.
Developments in different relevant scientific fields will be examined and discussed during the workshop. For instance, neutron detection is an important prerequisite of antineutrino detection. Consequently, neutron detection with molecules recently developed for organic LED applications suggest that these compounds can also be used for antineutrino detection. Furthermore, opaqueness of good solid-state detector materials hampers the light attenuation in these systems. This problem can be circumvented by applying nanocrystals in a clear matrix, thereby reducing self-absorption of emitted light. Developments in the field of material science (metal organic framework, sol-gel and polymer science) could help lower the hazardousness of the employed materials.
The workshop will provide a close look at the following aspects:
Additionally, definition and specification of research projects required to improve existing applications and to research novel detector materials and concepts, will be on the workshop’s agenda.
Based on the outcome of this workshop, INCAS³ aims to initiate, to support and to coordinate collaborative efforts geared for investigating the feasibility of new materials for the detection of antineutrinos.
For more information, contact Peter Dijkstra (peterdijkstra@incas3.eu).