Researchers from the University of Chicago, including J. I. Collar, C. M. Lewis, A. Simón, and S. G. Yoon, have recently published a study in the journal Physical Review D that explores the scintillation response of cryogenic cesium iodide (CsI) to low-energy nuclear recoils. Their findings could have implications for the energy sector, particularly in the realm of nuclear energy and radiation detection.
The team used monochromatic neutron emissions from photonuclear sources to investigate the response of pure cesium iodide at a cryogenic temperature of 80 K. By employing a low-noise, high-quantum-efficiency avalanche photodiode along with a novel waveshifter, they achieved an analysis threshold of 70 eV. This sensitivity allowed them to observe signals from sub-keV nuclear recoils resulting from neutron scattering.
The researchers found that the quenching factor—the ratio of the light output from nuclear recoils to that from electronic recoils—decreases more rapidly at low energies than what would be predicted by a model developed for room-temperature CsI. This finding is significant because it suggests that the behavior of cryogenic CsI may differ substantially from its room-temperature counterpart, which could impact its use in various applications.
In the context of the energy industry, this research could have practical applications in the development of more sensitive and accurate radiation detectors. For instance, in nuclear power plants, precise detection and measurement of radiation are crucial for safety and monitoring purposes. The use of cryogenic CsI could potentially enhance the sensitivity of detectors, allowing for better monitoring of low-energy nuclear recoils and improving overall safety.
Moreover, the findings could also be relevant for dark matter experiments and neutrino physics, which often require highly sensitive detectors to observe rare events. The improved understanding of the scintillation response of cryogenic CsI could lead to advancements in detector technology, benefiting both fundamental research and practical applications in the energy sector.
In summary, the research conducted by Collar, Lewis, Simón, and Yoon provides valuable insights into the behavior of cryogenic CsI, which could have practical applications in the energy industry, particularly in the field of radiation detection and monitoring. Their work highlights the importance of continued research and development in detector technology to enhance safety and efficiency in nuclear energy and other related fields. The research was published in Physical Review D, a peer-reviewed journal that covers topics in particle physics, field theory, and related areas.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.