Scintillation efficiency of liquid argon in low energy neutron-argon scattering

Authors :: Creus, W.
Allkofer, Y.
Amsler, C.
Ferella, A. D.
Rochet, J.
Scotto-Lavina, L.
Walter, M.
Publication Year :: 2015
Abstract: Experiments searching for weak interacting massive particles with noble gases such as liquid argon require very low detection thresholds for nuclear recoils. A determination of the scintillation efficiency is crucial to quantify the response of the detector at low energy. We report the results obtained with a small liquid argon cell using a monoenergetic neutron beam produced by a deuterium-deuterium fusion source. The light yield relative to electrons was measured for six argon recoil energies between 11 and 120 keV at zero electric drift field.<br />Comment: 21 pages, 19 figures, 4 tables