Speaker
Description
Water-based Liquid Scintillator (WbLS) has emerged as a compelling medium for next-generation, large-scale neutrino experiments. By combining the high light yield of organic scintillators with the directionality and cost-effectiveness of Cherenkov detectors, WbLS offers enhanced sensitivity for measuring the CP-violating phase in long-baseline oscillations and detecting low-energy neutrinos.
Following benchtop studies characterizing the fundamental properties of WbLS, Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has transitioned to ton-scale demonstrators. We report on the performance of a 1-ton and a 30-ton detector, which have been operational for three years and one year, respectively. These prototypes serve as testbeds for validating the long-term stability of the WbLS medium at scale. Furthermore, we discuss recent progress in Gadolinium-loading (Gd-WbLS) and present preliminary results on neutron capture efficiency. This poster details the operational stability, light yield measurements, and neutron detection capabilities of both detectors, providing a roadmap for the deployment of WbLS in future neutrino experiments.