Neutron- and muon-induced background in underground physics experiments |
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Authors: | V A Kudryavtsev L Pandola V Tomasello |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK;(2) INFN, Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Assergi, Italy |
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Abstract: | Background induced by neutrons in deep underground laboratories is a critical issue for all experiments looking for rare events,
such as dark matter interactions or neutrinoless ββ decay. Neutrons can be produced either by natural radioactivity, via spontaneous
fission or (α, n) reactions, or by interactions initiated by high-energy cosmic rays. In all underground experiments, Monte Carlo simulations
of neutron background play a crucial role for the evaluation of the total background rate and for the optimization of rejection
strategies. The Monte Carlo methods that are commonly employed to evaluate neutron-induced background and to optimize the
experimental setup, are reviewed and discussed. Focus is given to the issue of reliability of Monte Carlo background estimates.
We dedicate this work to the memory of our friend and colleague Nicola Ferrari, who prematurely passed away in July 2006. |
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Keywords: | PACS" target="_blank">PACS 98 70 Sa Cosmic rays (including sources origin acceleration and interactions) 98 70 Vc Background radiations 95 35 +d Dark matter (stellar interstellar galactic and cosmological) 23 40 -s β decay double β decay electron and muon capture |
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