Development of an Argon Light Source as a Calibration and Quality Control Device for Liquid Argon Light Detectors

Abstract

The majority of future large-scale neutrino and dark matter experiments are based on liquid argon detectors. Since liquid argon is also a very effective scintillator, these experiments also have light detection systems. 127 nm wavelength of the liquid argon scintillation leads to the development of specialized light detectors, mostly based on wavelength shifters, and recently photodetectors sensitive to deeper UV. The effective calibration and quality control of these newly developed detectors is still a persisting problem. In order to respond to this need, we developed an argon light source which is based on plasma generation and light transfer across a MgF2 window. The light source is designed as a small, portable and easy to operate device to enable the acquisition of performance characteristics of several square meters of light detectors at once. Here we report on the development of the light source and its preliminary performance characteristics.