Masters Degrees (Physics)

Permanent URI for this collection

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Monte Carlo simulation of direction sensitive antineutrino detection
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Blanckenberg, J. P (Jacobus Petrus); Van der Ventel, B. I. S.; Smit, F. D.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physics. Nuclear Physics.
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.