Simulation and performance study of ceramic THGEM

THGEMs based on a ceramic substrate have been successfully developed for neutron and single photon detection. The influences on thermal neutron scattering and internal radioactivity of both ceramic and FR-4 substrates were studied and compared. The ceramic THGEMs are homemade, of 200 μm hole diameter, 600 μm pitch, 200 μm thickness, 80 μm rim, and 50 mm×50 mm sensitive area. FR-4 THGEMs with the same geometry were used as a reference. The gas gain, energy resolution and gain stability were measured in different gas mixtures using 5.9 keV X-rays. The maximum gain of a single layer ceramic THGEM reaches 6×10⁴ and 1.5×10⁴ at Ne+CH₄=95:5 and Ar+i-C₄H₁₀=97:3, respectively. The energy resolution is better than 24%. Good gain stability was obtained during a more than 100 hour continuous test in Ar+CO₂=80:20. By using a ²³⁹Pu source, the alpha deposited energy spectrum and gain curve of the ceramic THGEM were measured.     

Aging of LAB-based liquid scintillator in stainless steel containers

Types 316 and 304 stainless steel are two candidates for the storage vessels and piping systems of LAB-based liquid scintillator (LS) in the JUNO experiment. LS aging experiments are carried out at temperatures of 40℃ and 25℃. After 192 days aging at 40℃, the attenuation length of LS was reduced by 6% in a glass container, 12% in a type 304 stainless steel tank, and 10% in a type 316 stainless steel tank. At 25℃ in 304 and 316 stainless steel tanks, the attenuation length was reduced by 6% after 307 days. The light yield and the absorption spectrum were practically the same as that of the unaged sample. The concentration of element Fe in the LAB-based LS did not show a clear change. Type 316 and 304 stainless steel can be used as vessels and transportation pipeline material for LAB-based LS.