Abstract
Precise in-situ measurements of the neutron flux in underground laboratories is crucial for direct dark matter searches, as neutron induced backgrounds can mimic the typical dark matter signal. The development of a novel neutron spectroscopy technique using Spherical Proportional Counters is investigated. The detector is operated with nitrogen and is sensitive to both fast and thermal neutrons through the 14N(n, α)11B and 14N(n, p)14C reactions. This method holds potential to be a safe, inexpensive, effective, and reliable alternative to 3He-based detectors. Measurements of fast and thermal neutrons from an Am-Be source with a Spherical Proportional Counter operated at pressures up to 2 bar at Birmingham are discussed.
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