Author(s)
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Gupta, V. (Amsterdam U. ; NIKHEF, Amsterdam) ; Araujo, G.R. (Zurich U.) ; Babicz, M. (Zurich U.) ; Baudis, L. (Zurich U.) ; Chiu, P.-J. (Zurich U.) ; Choudhary, S. (Warsaw, Copernicus Astron. Ctr.) ; Goldbrunner, M. (Munich, Tech. U.) ; Hamer, A. (Edinburgh U.) ; Kuźniak, M. (Warsaw, Copernicus Astron. Ctr.) ; Kuźwa, M. (Warsaw, Copernicus Astron. Ctr.) ; Leonhardt, A. (Munich, Tech. U.) ; Montagna, E. (INFN, Bologna) ; Nieradka, G. (Warsaw, Copernicus Astron. Ctr.) ; Parkinson, H.B. (Edinburgh U.) ; Pietropaolo, F. (CERN ; INFN, Padua) ; Pollmann, T.R. (Amsterdam U. ; NIKHEF, Amsterdam) ; Resnati, F. (CERN) ; Schönert, S. (Munich, Tech. U.) ; Szelc, A.M. (Edinburgh U.) ; Thieme, K. (Hawaii U.) ; Walczak, M. (Warsaw, Copernicus Astron. Ctr.) |
Abstract
| Liquid argon detectors rely on wavelength shifters for efficient detection of scintillation light. The current standard is tetraphenyl butadiene (TPB), but it is challenging to instrument on a large scale. Poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN), a polyester easily manufactured as thin sheets, could simplify the coverage of large surfaces with wavelength shifters. Previous measurements have shown that commercial grades of PEN have approximately 50% light conversion efficiency relative to TPB. Encouraged by these results, we conducted a large-scale measurement using $4 m^2$ combined PEN and specular reflector foils in a two-tonne liquid argon dewar to assess its stability over approximately two weeks. This test is crucial for validating PEN as a viable substitute for TPB. The setup used for the measurement of the stability of PEN as a wavelength shifter is described, together with the first results, showing no evidence of performance deterioration over a period of 12 days. |