First test of a Li2WO4(Mo) bolometric detector for the measurement of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering

Abstract

Abstract The first observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE ν NS), reported by the COHERENT Collaboration in 2017, paved the way for a new generation of experiments using reactor ν e and aiming at precisely measuring this process. In this context, the BASKET (Bolometers At Sub-KeV Energy Thresholds) R&D project investigates the use of cryogenic detectors for a reactor CE ν NS experiment. This article reports on the first test of a Mo-doped lithium tungstate scintillating bolometer ( ⊘ 18 × 7 mm, 8 g), performed in an aboveground laboratory at CSNSM, Orsay (France). The detector bolometric performance (energy and time response, particle identification capabilities) and radiopurity have been studied and confirm the promising potential of lithium tungstate-based bolometric detectors for the measurement of CE ν NS at reactors.