Characterization of Particle Size and Morphology for Water-based Liquid Scintillators Formulated by Automated Dispensing and Mixing

Project Description

The detection of rare events in particle physics can require large detectors in excess of 100 kTon. Some detectors use water, which can produce light when interacting with ionizing radiation. Another approach uses an organic liquid scintillator, which has a lower detection threshold but is more expensive and more difficult to handle compared to water. A third type of material combines water and organic liquid scintillator, using a surfactant to stabilize a single-phase emulsion of these two immiscible materials. These materials balance trade-offs between its two major constituents. Further improvements in scintillation performance (e.g., light output) may be possible through the optimization of formulation. However, a minimum of six components may be involved in formulating. This project will focus on optimization using automation and characterization (including x-ray scattering) to determine characteristics that produce high performing scintillators.

Instruments