Simulation and instrumentation of plastic scintillator detectors for elementary particle detection
TA2025: Zhenhao Liang, Xiaoyu Wang, Ekaterina Kozlova
I. Description
Plastic scintillator detectors are pivotal in elementary particle detection due to their efficiency and versatility. These detectors emit light when charged particles pass through them, allowing for the detection and analysis of various particle interactions. The CHANDLER project, for instance, utilizes wavelength-shifting plastic scintillator cubes coupled with photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to detect reactor antineutrinos through inverse beta decay:
This training program is designed to equip undergraduate students with comprehensive skills in both the simulation and instrumentation of plastic scintillator detectors. The focus will be on a detector comprising a 6-cm plastic scintillator cube coupled to a 3-inch PMT. Students will first employ GEANT4 simulations to understand the fundamental interactions of elementary particles within the detector. Subsequently, they will set up the actual detector instrumentation in the Xihu laboratory, gaining hands-on experience with data acquisition (DAQ) systems and electronics. The program culminates in a comparative analysis of simulation and experimental data, fostering discussions on potential system improvements.
Fig.1
Left: A neutrino detector made of plastic scintillators[3].
Right: Setup to be used and simulated in this course.
II. Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, students will:
Gain proficiency in GEANT4 simulations to model particle interactions within plastic scintillator detectors.
Develop hands-on experience in assembling and calibrating plastic scintillator detectors, including understanding DAQ systems and associated electronics.
Acquire skills to measure and optimize light collection efficiency in scintillator-PMT systems.
Enhance analytical abilities by comparing Monte Carlo simulation data with experimental results, leading to informed discussions on system improvements.
III. Training Plan
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Pre-Lab Preparation
Complete assigned readings on plastic scintillator detectors, GEANT4 simulation techniques.
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Simulation Phase (2 weeks)
Utilize GEANT4 to simulate the response of the plastic scintillator cube detector to various particles and energy ranges, such as background gamma rays, neutrons, and calibration sources like Co-60, Cs-137, and Ba-133.
Analyze the effects of different geometries and materials on detector performance.
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Instrumentation Phase (2 weeks)
In the Xihu Dark Matter and Neutrino laboratory, assemble the detector by coupling the plastic scintillator cube to the 3-inch PMT.
Set up the DAQ system and necessary electronics, make energy calibrations using sources such as cosmic muons and Co-60 gamma source.
Measure light collection efficiency of the detector system and explore optimization techniques to enhance system performance.
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Data Analysis and Reporting (1 week)
Compare the simulation results with experimental data to assess the accuracy of the GEANT4 model.
Identify discrepancies and propose potential improvements to both the simulation model and the physical detector setup.
Compile findings into a comprehensive report, emphasizing the correlation between Monte Carlo simulations and experimental outcomes, and discussing future enhancement strategies.
IV. Assignment
Complete prelab reading.
Attend weekly meetings with the course instructor and/or project mentor (appointments coordinated by the TA).
Submit short weekly progress reports to the TA.
Deliver a project presentation on June 3, 2025 (duration: 30–45 minutes per group).
Present a project poster on June 5, 2025.
Submit the project thesis by June 30, 2025.
V. Reading Materials and References
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GEANT4 Simulation Framework
"NuSD: A Geant4 based simulation framework for segmented anti-neutrino detectors." Computer Physics Communications 277, 108387 (2022).
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Plastic Scintillator Detector Fabrication
"Additive manufacturing of a 3D-segmented plastic scintillator detector for tracking and calorimetry of elementary particles." Communications Engineering 4, 41 (2025).
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Observation of Reactor Antineutrinos
"Observation of Reactor Antineutrinos with a Rapidly Deployable Surface-Level Detector." Phys. Rev. Applied 13, 034028 (2020).
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Summary Note on Muon
Muon Tracks ReconstructionRuize Li (2024).
