The KamLAND full-volume calibration system

Authors

B. E. Berger, Colorado State University
J. Busenitz, The University of Alabama
T. Classen, The University of Alabama
M. P. Decowski, University of California, Berkeley
D. A. Dwyer, California Institute of Technology
G. Elor, University of California, Berkeley
A. Frank, University of California, Berkeley
S. J. Freedman, University of California, Berkeley
B. K. Fujikawa, University of California, Berkeley
K. M. Galloway, University of California, Berkeley
F. Gray, University of California, Berkeley
M. Heeger, University of Wisconsin-Madison
L. Hsu, University of California, Berkeley
K. Ichimura, University of California, Berkeley
R. Kadel, University of California, Berkeley
G. Keefer, The University of Alabama
C. Lendvai, University of California, Berkeley
D. McKee, The University of Alabama
T. O'Donnell, University of California, Berkeley
A. Piepke, The University of Alabama
H. M. Steiner, University of California, Berkeley
D. Syversrud, University of California, Berkeley
J. Wallig, University of California, Berkeley
L. A. Winslow, University of California, Berkeley
T. Ebihara, Tohoku University
S. Enomoto, Tohoku University
K. Furuno, Tohoku University
Y. Gando, Tohoku University
H. Ikeda, Tohoku University
K. Inoue, Tohoku University
Y. Kibe, Tohoku University
Y. Kishimoto, Tohoku University
M. Koga, Tohoku University
Y. Minekawa, Tohoku University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-16-2009

Abstract

We have successfully built and operated a source deployment system for the KamLAND detector. This system was used to position radioactive sources throughout the delicate 1-kton liquid scintillator volume, while meeting stringent material cleanliness, material compatibility, and safety requirements. The calibration data obtained with this device were used to fully characterize detector position and energy reconstruction biases. As a result, the uncertainty in the size of the detector fiducial volume was reduced by a factor of two. Prior to calibration with this system, the fiducial volume was the largest source of systematic uncertainty in measuring the number of antineutrinos detected by KamLAND. This paper describes the design, operation and performance of this unique calibration system. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd and SISSA.

Recommended Citation

Berger, B. E.; Busenitz, J.; Classen, T.; Decowski, M. P.; Dwyer, D. A.; Elor, G.; Frank, A.; Freedman, S. J.; Fujikawa, B. K.; Galloway, K. M.; Gray, F.; Heeger, M.; Hsu, L.; Ichimura, K.; Kadel, R.; Keefer, G.; Lendvai, C.; McKee, D.; O'Donnell, T.; Piepke, A.; Steiner, H. M.; Syversrud, D.; Wallig, J.; Winslow, L. A.; Ebihara, T.; Enomoto, S.; Furuno, K.; Gando, Y.; Ikeda, H.; Inoue, K.; Kibe, Y.; Kishimoto, Y.; Koga, M.; and Minekawa, Y., "The KamLAND full-volume calibration system" (2009). Regis University Faculty Publications (comprehensive list). 914.
https://epublications.regis.edu/facultypubs/914