A 83Krm source for use in low-background liquid Xenon time projection chambers

We report the testing of a charcoal-based Kr-83(m) source for use in calibrating a low-background two-phase liquid xenon detector. Kr-83(m) atoms produced through the decay of Rb-83 are introduced into a xenon detector by flowing xenon gas past the Rb-83 source. 9.4 keV and 32.1 keV transitions from decaying Kr-83(m) nuclei are detected through liquid xenon scintillation and ionization. The characteristics of the Kr-83(m) source are analyzed and shown to be appropriate for a low background liquid xenon detector. Introduction of Kr-83(m) allows for quick, periodic calibration of low background noble liquid detectors at low energy.