First results of the deployment of a SoLid detector module at the SCK•CEN BR2 reactor

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Abstract:: The SoLid experiment aims to resolve the reactor neutrino anomaly by searching for electron-tosterile anti-neutrino oscillations. The search will be performed between 5.5 and 10 m from the
highly enriched uranium core of the BR2 reactor at SCK•CEN. The experiment utilises a novel
approach to anti-neutrino detection based on a highly segmented, composite scintillator detector
design. High experimental sensitivity can be achieved using a combination of high neutrongamma discrimination using 6LiF:ZnS(Ag) and precise localisation of the inverse beta decay
products. This compact detector system requires limited passive shielding as it relies on spacial
topology to determine the different classes of backgrounds. The first full scale, 288 kg, detector
module was deployed at the BR2 reactor in November 2014. A phased three tonne experimental
deployment will begin in the second half of 2016, allowing a precise search for oscillations that
will resolve the reactor anomaly using a three tonne detector running for three years. In this talk
the novel detector design is explained and initial detector performance results from the module
level deployment are presented along with an estimation of the physics reach of the next phase.

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SoliD DocDB Document 2-v1