Simulation of 500 MeV neutrons by using NaCl doped Water Cherenkov detector

• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2020.02.024
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03T18:39:10Z
• Authors: Iván Sidelnik; Hernán Asorey; Nicolás Guarín; Mauricio Suaréz D...; Mariano Gómez Ber...; José Lipovetzky; Juan Jerónimo Blo...
• Keywords: CHERENKOV EFFECT; https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.3; 0103 physical sciences; SPACE WEATHER; https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1; WATER CHERENKOV DETECTOR; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences; NEUTRON DETECTION

Abstract In this work we show the capabilities of a water Cherenkov detector (WCD) to detect high energy neutrons. We present the simulation of the response of a doped WCD to 500 MeV monochromatic neutrons using Geant4. To do this, a detailed model of the WCD has been implemented. The active volume of the detector is composed of pure water and different concentrations of a 35 Cl based additive. The addition of this dopant shows an enhancement in the detection of high energetic neutrons. The sensitivity of this detector to neutrons achieved in our simulations is a relevant result for cosmic rays and space weather studies.