Design and characterization of AmLi neutron sources for the LZ experiment

Abstract

In this paper we describe the development, testing, and characterization of three low-emission rate AmLi neutron sources. The sources are used to calibrate the nuclear recoil response of the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter experiment. The sources' neutron emission rate was measured using ${}^3$He proportional tubes. The sources' gamma emissions were characterized using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Source-validated GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations allowed to calibrate the Ge and neutron detector responses.

20 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables, revised manuscripts after accommodating the reviewer's comments