The 8Li calibration source for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

A calibration source employing Li-8 (t(1/2) = 0.838 s) has been developed for use with the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO). This source creates a spectrum of beta-particles with an energy range similar to that of the SNO B-8 solar neutrino signal. The source is used to test the SNO detector's energy response. position reconstruction and data reduction algorithms. The Li-8 isotope is created using a deuterium-tritium neutron generator in conjunction with a B-11 target, and is carried to a decay chamber using a gas, aerosol transport system. The decay chamber detects prompt alpha-particles by gas scintillation in coincidence with the beta-particles which exit through a thin stainless steel wall. A description is given of the production, transport, and tagging techniques along with a discussion of the performance and application of the source. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.