Helium-Xenon mixtures to improve topological signature in high pressure gas Xenon TPCs

Abstract

Within the framework of xenon-based double beta decay experiments, we propose the possibility to improve the background rejection of an electroluminescent Time Projection Chamber (EL TPC) by reducing the diffusion of the drifting electrons while keeping nearly intact the energy resolution of a pure xenon EL TPC. Based on state-of-the-art microscopic simulations, a substantial addition of helium, around 10 or 15~\%, may reduce drastically the transverse diffusion down to 2.5~mm/$\sqrt{\mathrm{m}}$ from the 10.5~mm/$\sqrt{\mathrm{m}}$ of pure xenon. The longitudinal diffusion remains around 4~mm/$\sqrt{\mathrm{m}}$. Light production studies have been performed as well. They show that the relative variation in energy resolution introduced by such a change does not exceed a few percent, which leaves the energy resolution practically unchanged. The technical caveats of using photomultipliers close to an helium atmosphere are also discussed in detail.

arXiv comment8 pages, 7 figures

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• Sensitivity of a tonne-scale NEXT detector for neutrinoless double beta decay searches
• Boosting background suppression in the NEXT experiment through Richardson-Lucy deconvolution
• Dielectric Strength of Noble and Quenched Gases for High Pressure Time Projection Chambers
• Double Beta Decay APPEC Committee Report
• Status and prospects of the NEXT experiment for neutrinoless double beta decay searches
• Mitigation of Backgrounds from Cosmogenic ${}^{137}$Xe in Xenon Gas Experiments using ${}^3$He Neutron Capture
• Time and band-resolved scintillation in time projection chambers based on gaseous xenon
• Double Beta Decay Experiments at Canfranc Underground Laboratory
• Neutral Bremsstrahlung in TPCs
• A journey to ITACA: Ion Tracking with Ammonium Cations Apparatus
• High Pressure Gas Xenon TPCs for Double Beta Decay Searches