Measuring Muon-Induced Fast Neutrons at the Baksan Underground Scintillation Telescope

Abstract

A technique to estimation low intensity muon-induced fast neutrons has been developed. The procedure for data analysis and interpretation of the results are discussed. The technique has been applied to estimate the neutron background from rock at the Baksan Underground Scintillation Telescope (BUST). A neutron background measurement relies on the production of a cosmogenic nuclide 12B by fast neutrons in an organic scintillator. The method exploited the delayed coincidences between the 12B production signals and electrons from 12B β−-decay. The total flux of muon-induced neutrons from rock was determined to be Φn = (21.5 ± 5) · 10−9 cm−2s−1. The estimated full fluxes of neutrons agree with results of Monte-Carlo simulations.