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Rn emanation measurements for the XENON1T experiment.
The European Physical Journal. C, Particles and Fields
|November 1, 2021
Summary
Selecting low-radioactivity materials is crucial for rare event searches. Radon emanation measurements for the XENON1T experiment helped identify radio-pure components, achieving the lowest radon concentration in a xenon dark matter experiment.
Area of Science:
- Experimental Physics
- Particle Physics
- Nuclear Physics
Background:
- Low-radioactivity materials are essential for sensitive rare event search experiments.
- Radon (Rn) emanation from material surfaces is a significant background source in these experiments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present radon emanation measurements for the XENON1T dark matter experiment.
- To enable the selection of radio-pure construction materials by assessing bulk impurities and surface emanation.
Main Methods:
- Performed radon emanation measurements on construction materials.
- Conducted bulk impurity screening.
- Compared emanation measurement predictions with in-situ radon activity concentration data.
Main Results:
- Identified and selected the radio-purest construction materials for XENON1T.
- Achieved a target radon activity concentration of in of xenon.
- Successfully eliminated problematic components based on radon emanation data.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully minimized background noise in the XENON1T experiment through careful material selection.
- The final radon activity concentration in XENON1T's target was the lowest ever recorded for a xenon dark matter experiment.
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