Search for reactor neutrino directionality using a LAB-based Gd-loaded liquid scintillation detector

Abstract

Recently, several interesting phenomena related to neutrinos have been found using reactor neutrinos and we have learned much about the properties of neutrinos. Ultrapure water or liquid scintillator is generally used to detect neutrinos. Since a detector filled with water can use the Cherenkov light emitted in a conical shape based on the direction of a charged particle, the direction of the incident neutrinos can be reconstructed relatively well. However, in a detector filled with the liquid scintillator, the reactor neutrino signal can be reconstructed using information from the Inverse Beta Decay (IBD) process. In this case, it is not easy to determine the direction of an incident neutrino because light is emitted in all directions. In this study, we briefly investigated the possibility of the directional reconstruction of reactor neutrinos in the Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB)-based Gadolinium (Gd)-loaded liquid scintillator using a Monte Carlo simulation technique. The LAB was used in place of existing, conventional liquid scintillation detector solution. It has a high flash point and is environmentally friendly. The purpose of this study was to show a practical and interesting application of neutrino direction reconstruction for reactor neutrinos that could be used in future large liquid scintillator neutrino detectors.