Organic Semiconductor Neutron Detectors for Dark Matter

未来在意大利的DarkSide等实验中进行暗物质搜索的物理潜力将受到识别和否决热中子的能力的限制。在实验装置中有几个中子源，既在低温区附近的电子阅读的SiPM传感器，并从实验洞穴的环境。冷或热操作固态中子探测器可以帮助减少背景，从而增加粒子暗物质直接探测搜索的物理灵敏度。在这个建议中，我们建立在我们以前的工作与有机半导体（OSC）的辐射探测的原型大面积多通道OSC位置敏感中子探测器。这项仪器开发工作的目的是评估使用这种技术在未来的暗物质实验的中子否决系统的一部分的潜力。我们提出了一个建议，使和测试的演示热中子探测器的有效面积达10平方厘米。这将提供一个基本单位，考虑作出更大的区域否决权的实验，如黑暗面的可行性。我们的项目有一个风险登记册和甘特图表（可应要求提供，没有提交，因为该信息没有要求为这个电话）。

The physics potential of future dark matter searches at experiments such as DarkSide in Italy will be limited by the ability to identify and veto thermal neutrons. There are several sources of neutrons in the experimental setup, both in the cryogenic regions in the vicinity of the electronics reading out the SiPM sensors, and from the environment of the experimental cavern. Cold or warm operation solid state neutron detectors could help to reduce the backgrounds, and in turn increase the physics sensitivity for particle dark matter direct detection searches. In this proposal we build on our previous work with organic semiconductors (OSCs) for radiation detection by making prototype large area multi-channel OSC position sensitive neutron detectors. The purpose of this instrument development work is to evaluate the potential for using this technology in a future Dark Matter experiment for part of a neutron veto system.We present a proposal to make and test a demonstrator thermal neutron detector with active area up to 10 square centimetres. This would provide a base-unit to consider the feasibility of making a larger area veto for experiments like DarkSide.Our project has a risk register and Gantt chart (available on request, not submitted as that information was not requested for this call).