A prototype neutron veto for dark matter detectors

Abstract

Neutrons are a particularly dangerous background for direct WIMP dark matter searches; their nuclear recoils with the target nuclei are often indistinguishable from nuclear recoils produced by WIMP-nuclear collisions. In this study, we explore the concept of a liquid scintillator neutron veto detector that would allow direct dark matter detectors to potentially reject neutrons with greater than 99% efficiency. Here we outline the construction and testing of a small prototype detector and the potential implications of this technology for future dark matter detectors.