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Ultra-sensitive radon assay using an electrostatic chamber in a recirculating system
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Ultra-sensitive radon assay using an electrostatic chamber in a recirculating system

nEXO Collaboration, A Anker, P. A Breur, B Mong, P Acharya, A Amy, E Angelico, I. J Arnquist, A Atencio, J Bane, …
21 Apr 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2504.15464
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Abstract

Physics - High Energy Physics - Experiment Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors
Rare event searches such as neutrinoless double beta decay and Weakly Interacting Massive Particle detection require ultra-low background detectors. Radon contamination is a significant challenge for these experiments, which employ highly sensitive radon assay techniques to identify and select low-emission materials. This work presents the development of ultra-sensitive electrostatic chamber (ESC) instruments designed to measure radon emanation in a recirculating gas loop, for future lower background experiments. Unlike traditional methods that separate emanation and detection steps, this system allows continuous radon transport and detection. This is made possible with a custom-built recirculation pump. A Python-based analysis framework, PyDAn, was developed to process and fit time-dependent radon decay data. Radon emanation rates are given for various materials measured with this instrument. A radon source of known activity provides an absolute calibration, enabling statistically-limited minimal detectable activities of 20 $\mu$Bq. These devices are powerful tools for screening materials in the development of low-background particle physics experiments.

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