Speaker
Description
KDK and KDK+ research is focused on measuring the rare decays of Potassium-40
(40K). The KDK experiment recently recorded the first experimental measurement
of 40K electron capture decay directly to the ground state of 40Ar. KDK+ will follow
this with an experiment aimed at obtaining a refined experimental decay constant
for the β+ decay in 40K as the currently accepted value is in tension with modern
theoretical predictions. The initial measurement will be performed using a liquid
scintillator due to a high counting efficiency for β+ decays, and they can be loaded
with a variety of chemicals for calibration purposes. This liquid scintillator will be
contained in a 300 mL vessel with PMTs placed on either end and placed in the
centre bore of an annulus with four Sodium Iodide crystals surrounding it
measured by PMTs. This apparatus requires systematic calibration of the NaI
crystals, the liquid scintillator, and the PMTs measuring them. Work has been
done to calibrate the liquid scintillator vessel, as well as an extensive investigation
into the methodology for loading potassium into a liquid scintillator. The liquid
scintillator has also been tested extensively for stability as a loss in light yield has
been observed over long periods and this must be understood over a long-term
experiment.
| Your current academic level | MSc student |
|---|---|
| Your email address | 23vqp@queensu.ca |
| Affiliation | Queen's University |
| Supervisor name | Philippe Di Stefano |
| Supervisor email | philippe.distefano@gmail.com |
