Thesis (MSc (Physics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT:
Neutrino and antineutrino detection is a fairly new eld of experimental physics,
mostly due to the small interaction cross section of these particles. Most of
the detectors in use today are huge detectors consisting of kilotons of scintilator
material and large arrays of photomultiplier tubes. Direction sensitive
antineutrino detection has however, not been done (at the time of writing of
this thesis). In order to establish the feasibility of direction sensitive antineutrino
detection, a Monte Carlo code, DSANDS, was written to simulate the
detection process. This code focuses on the neutron and positron (the reaction
products after capture on a proton) transport through scintilator media. The
results are then used to determine the original direction of the antineutrino,
in the same way that data from real detectors would be used, and to compare
it with the known direction. Further investigation is also carried out into the
required amount of statistics for accurate results in an experimental eld where
detection events are rare. Results show very good directional sensitivity of the
detection method. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:
Neutrino en antineutrino meting is 'n relatief nuwe veld in eksperimentele sika,
hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die klein interaksie deursnee van hierdie deeltjies. Die
meeste hedendaagse detektors is massiewe detektors met kilotonne sintilator
materiaal en groot aantalle fotovermenigvuldiger buise. Tans is rigting sensitiewe
antineutrino metings egter nog nie uit gevoer nie. 'n Monte Carlo kode,
DSANDS, is geskryf om die meet proses te simuleer en sodoende die uitvoerbaarheid
van rigting sensitiewe antineutrino metings vas te stel. Hierdie kode
fokus op die beweging van neutrone en positrone (die reaksie produkte) deur
die sintilator medium. Die resultate word dan gebruik om die oorspronklike
rigting van die antineutrino te bepaal, soos met data van regte detektors gedoen
sou word, en te vergelyk met die bekende oorspronklike rigting van die
antineutrino. Verder word daar ook gekyk na die hoeveelheid statistiek wat
nodig sal wees om akkurate resultate te kry in 'n veld waar metings baie skaars
is. Die resultate wys baie goeie rigting sensitiwiteit van die meet metode.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2885 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Blanckenberg, J. P (Jacobus Petrus) |
| Contributors | Van der Ventel, B. I. S., Smit, F. D., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physics. Nuclear Physics. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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