First measurements with a new $\beta$-electron detector for spectral shape studies

Abstract

The shape of the electron spectrum emitted in $\beta$ decay carries a wealth of information about nuclear structure and fundamental physics. In spite of that, few dedicated measurements have been made of $\beta$-spectrum shapes. In this work we present a newly developed detector for $\beta$ electrons based on a telescope concept. A thick plastic scintillator is employed in coincidence with a thin silicon detector. The first measurements employing this detector have been carried out with mono-energetic electrons from the high-energy resolution electron-beam spectrometer at Bordeaux. Here we report on the good reproduction of the experimental spectra of mono-energetic electrons using Monte Carlo simulations. This is a crucial step for future experiments, where a detailed Monte Carlo characterization of the detector is needed to determine the shape of the $\beta$-electron spectra by deconvolution of the measured spectra with the response function of the detector. A chamber to contain two telescope assemblies has been designed for future $\beta$-decay experiments at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line facility in Jyväskylä, aimed at improving our understanding of reactor antineutrino spectra.

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• $g_{\mathrm{A}}$-sensitive $\beta$ spectral shapes in the mass $A=86-99$ region assessed by the nuclear shell model
• Study of beta spectrum shapes relevant to the prediction of reactor antineutrino spectra
• Constraints for rare electron-capture decays mimicking detection of dark-matter particles in nuclear transitions
• Study of $\mathbf{\beta }$ Decay Shape Factors in First-Forbidden Transitions with $\mathbf{\Delta }{\mathbf{I}}^{\mathbf{\pi }}=0^{-}$ for Reactor Antineutrino Spectra Predictions